A BRISTOL businessman is spearheading an economic fightback on one of the city's most well-known streets.

Whiteladies Road in Clifton has suffered with the closure of a number of businesses from Woolworths to estate agents, restaurants and off licences.

But now there are signs of a recovery.

Richard Smithson, owner of independent Aqua restaurants, opened one on Whiteladies Road four months ago in the Grade II- listed building where Colley's Supper Rooms used to be. He says business is booming.

Mr Smithson said: "We opened in the middle of all that snow we had back in February, and as the recession was kicking in. But we have been really busy since then and it's only getting busier."

Mr Smithson, aged 56, opened the first Aqua at Welsh Back in 1998 and went on to open a second in Bath three years ago. He now employs 120 people across all three sites.

As well as Aqua, there is a new restaurant set to open where FishWorks was on Blackboy Hill. There is also a new deli now open on the junction of Whiteladies Road and Cotham Hill, and a new gift shop that has opened recently opposite Clifton Down shopping centre.

Mr Smithson said the current downturn is the third recession he has experienced in business, but believes if the product and the price are right, it is possible to get through the bad times.

He said: "People question whether it is the right time to open a restaurant, especially with so many closing on Whiteladies Road recently.

"But when we opened, our pricing structure was developed to take into account what has happened with the economy.

"You have to offer something else, so we open for breakfast at 10 and have a space outside at the front which catches the sun and is proving very popular.

"This is my third recession so I have a lot of experience in how to deal with it. Building customer loyalty is key, which is about getting the product and the price right, but also treating people well and making them welcome."