THREE small Halesowen businesses have not only weathered the coronavirus storm - but are now thriving as people turn back to indepedent traders.

2Ks Cuts barbers, A Cut Above hairdressers and ladies clothes boutique Burbo K'ture are based at the same unit at 70, Lyde Green.

The trio of firms have been supporting each other throughout the pandemic and thanks to some forward thinking are going from strength to strength as shoppers turn to supporting local.

Paul Burbridge, who runs Burbo K'ture, which sells original bespoke designs and vintage clothing from the first floor, said: "The pandemic has been a massive learning curve.

"My business has always been 50/50 face-to-face and online - during the first lockdown I really didn't know how it was going to go - but because people were at home looking at phones and on computers - the visits online went through the roof. It was business as usual - I thought where are all these people going to wear these clothes!!

"My regular clients were really supportive.

"People have also been asking for loungewear to wear around the house."

Paul, aged 50 who lives in Halesowen, used to be based at Tabouki Laine in Hagley Street, but the shop has sadly closed.

He moved into the unit at Lyde Green last October and used it as a base to do virtual sessions with clients during lockdown.

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Joanne Wells, owner of The Cut Above on the first floor, (pictured above) used to be a mobile hairdresser, but decided to open up at the site in July 2020 due to issues with the pandemic and going into people's homes and sterilising tools.

The 46-year-old said: "It's fantastic - my clients have all been so supportive and have followed me here.

"It's lovely to be working with other businesses - I love it."

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2Ks Cuts barbers is run by two best friends, Kerri Leeson and Kerry Holmes, who is currently on maternity leave (pictured above). 

Kerri, aged 35, said: "We all have brilliant support from our clients, we couldn't ask for better customers.

"It was hard being closed so now it's great to be back open and to have got through it.

"We all support each other - it's great."

The businesses have an outdoor patio for customers to relax in.

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Paul said: "It's pretty amazing how we've survived, considering we are not on the high street."

We are launching our Love Local Business campaign to encourage people to spend their money locally.

The aim is to promote all the fantastic traders we have in our towns and urge our readers to give them their custom at this key time as the struggle to overcome the financial implications of the pandemic.

As part of the Newsquest publishing group, the Halesowen & Dudley News reaches a huge percentage of the local population across our well-established regional brands including print publications, record online audiences and social media.

Any business which wants to be featured in the campaign call 01905 742372 or email dale.godliman@localiq.co.uk.