AS the £75 million regeneration of Lowesmoor continues, independent businesses are doing what they can to boost local trade.

While businesses who backed our Buy Local campaign are still hoping that the major development currently being built on Lowesmoor trading estate will put them on the shopping map, they are already working hard to improve the area.

Lowesmoor Wharf Development, the company that oversees the area’s trading estate, meets regularly with residents, police and council representatives to ensure the area is trouble-free.

And while Carilion Richardson Partnership’s multi-million pound redevelopment of Lowesmoor’s old industrial estate will bring an Asda supermarket, a new car park, and more retail units to the area, there is a host of businesses already plying a successful trade in the main shopping area.

There is the independently-run Firefly pub; A E Smith Butchers; Computer House, a repairs and maintenance shop, run by Adnan Gill and Adil Azeem; Braemar Frames; Worcester Reptiles, the specialist reptile dealer selling snakes, tortoises, geckos and frogs; and Ki health and beauty salon.

The Four Seasons cantonese restaurant, opened by local restaurateur Frankie Tsang 25 years ago, boasts an enviable reputation as one of the city’s best eateries and the Brewery Tap is being reopened as a free house.

Lee Winters, of Worcester Pride, is part of the consortium that bought the pub, and hopes it will not only serve pints of local ale, but be a community hub for the Worcester’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and Worcester Pride movement.

Fatboy Trims hair salon was opened by experienced stylist Craig Spooner four years ago.