Planners give go-ahead for major science & innovation campus south of Cambridge

Planning approval has been granted for a major new science and innovation development, Cambridge Discovery Campus, on a 50 acre site two miles south of the city. It will provide 343,000 sq ft of space for small to medium sized ventures over six detached, laboratory-enabled buildings. The scheme by Bridgemere, a developer, and Foundation Capital Ventures, will also include an amenity building overlooking sports fields to be shared with the local community and a 30-acre country park. The project will be part of Cambridge's life science cluster and located next to the new Southwest park & ride and close to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Bridgemere CEO Will Heath said: “We are delighted to be able to make our own contribution to the future success of the life sciences sector in Cambridge via the provision of much needed, state-of-the-art R&D buildings within a campus that not only supports the health innovations of tomorrow, but which also contributes positively to the local community and surrounding area with additional amenity and green space for everyone to enjoy.” Contractors have been appointed and demolition and remediation work will start soon on the first phase for the six lab buildings and the amenity facilities.

Region's firms recruit confident that busier times lie ahead

Private sector output in the East of England rose further in March and companies remain highly confident on the outlook for the next 12 months, despite a ‘stalling in demand’ during the month. The NatWest East of England PMI business activity index dipped to 51.3 from 53.1 but stayed above the no-change 50.0 signalled output growth in the region for the fourth month running. Although new business at private firms in the East was flat in March, a future activity index posted its sixth-highest reading since it was first compiled in mid-2012 and the second-highest in the past three years. Confidence was linked to lower inflation and interest rates leading to a rise in disposable incomes, as well as new products, export growth and a possible post-election bounce. Meanwhile, private sector employment in the East rose for the third month running in March and was the highest in seven months. Recruitment was partly linked to an expected pick-up in demand. Cost pressures in the East of England remained strong but the rate of input price inflation – mainly linked to labour costs - eased further. Rashel Chowdhury, NatWest Midlands and East regional board, said: "Although output growth eased in March due to a pause in new business growth, companies in the East of England remain bullish on their prospects for the coming months with the future activity index remaining close to its record high.”

Consumers planning to save rather than spend after trimming non-essentials

More than half of consumers in the East Anglia say they have cut non-essential spending in the first quarter and are now seven times more likely to save than spend, according to a survey from KPMG UK. The firm’s consumer pulse survey of 300 consumers in the region across age and income groups showed that 52 per cent of respondents have had to cut non-essential spend in the first quarter. Eating out (68 per cent), takeaways (60 per cent) and clothing (57 per cent), were the three most cited non-essential areas for cuts. But four in 10 consumers (42 per cent) in the region said their non-essential spending has been unchanged in the first quarter. Only three per cent said that they had been able to spend more money on non-essentials. However, if prices of goods and services drop, nearly half said they would put the money into savings and nearly a quarter said the would put the money toward essential costs (mortgage/rent, energy, fuel, food). Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, Retail and leisure for KPMG, said: “Should macroeconomic conditions lead to an easing of pressure on household budgets, then seven times more consumers in the region say they would boost or replenish their savings, rather than spend more on non-essentials. If true, it raises significant questions about whether taming inflation leads to a consumer spending boom, or just a rebuilding of savings balances that some consumers have used to offset, or totally pay for, the higher cost of essentials over recent years.”

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Funds to boost green jobs and skills opens

Two new funds worth up to a combined £800,000 to support small and growing businesses in emerging sectors such as clean energy and with skills have opened for applications through Freeport East. A clean growth fund has been set up to assist local firms in the clean energy and other target sectors such as advanced manufacturing, advanced logistics, digital technology, and agritech. Meanwhile, an innovation and skills fund will target opportunities at firms, particularly in underserved communities.The Freeport East region extends from the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich in the east to Woodbridge in the north and from Stowmarket and Sudbury in the west to Colchester, Jaywick and Clacton in the south. Steve Beel, chief executive of Freeport East, said: “These funds are an integral part of how we spread the benefits of Freeport East across our local area. By supporting businesses in key sectors that create sustainable, high value growth for the future, we will help to ensure we can take opportunities in new, emerging economic sectors.” Interested parties have until Friday 10th May to apply for funding.

High level of enquiries expected for storage land for rent at Port of Ipswich

Associated British Ports is to rent 2.18 acres of open storage land on its West Bank Terminal at the Port of Ipswich. The quayside site offers hardstanding for uses which include industrial, logistics, warehousing, distribution and other port-related activities. The docks can accept vessels with a draught of 8.4m and length of 155m. The port handles two million tonnes of goods annually and has expertise in the handling of steel, forest products and bulk cargoes. Mike Wilson, associate director at agent Savills Chelmsford, said: “The Port of Ipswich is the number one export port for agricultural products in the UK for 18 years in a row beating London, Bristol and Great Yarmouth. ABP has invested £49.6m – over the past 12 years – to maintain its quality and high specification. Given its multipurpose use, the excellent location and connectivity, we are expecting a high number of enquiries from open storage and port operators.”

Electric cycle hub set up for Cambridge deliveries

UPS has set up a ‘micro hub’ in Cambridge to operate from a converted shipping container which will serve as a consolidation and despatch point for packages for the city centre. The hub, the first of its kind in the UK, will house three electric-assisted quad cycles to provide final-mile delivery to homes and businesses in the city. The eQuads are developed by a UK company Fernhay. Artur Drenk, director of sustainability, UPS EMEAI, said: “As cities worldwide adopt eco-friendly transportation measures, such as low-emission and zero-emission zones, we are at the forefront, aligning our operations with more sustainable solutions.”

Norfolk print company doubles in size with £1 million expansion and equipment upgrade

A Norfolk-based print company is doubling the size of its operation after investing over £1 million in an expansion to its workspace and equipment over the past 18 months. CIM Signs & Graphics, based at Rackheath Industrial Estate, has installed state-of-the-art equipment and in February, the company added a Kongsberg C64 Edge cutting machine, underlining its commitment to innovation and efficiency. The machine has a 3.2m wide elite cutting and routing conveyorised table, ensuring precision cutting and is used on a wide range of printing projects. The firm is pairing the Kongsberg C64 Edge with its swissQprint Nyala 4 to leverage exceptional print quality. CIM Signs & Graphics managing director Mark Baker said: "We’ve been planning this expansion for quite some time now and we’re thrilled to have officially moved in. The new space has allowed us to reconfigure the whole building providing us with spaces for key areas such as van wrapping and wide format printing. Our investment in the Kongsberg C64 Edge is not merely about acquiring cutting-edge technology; it's a commitment to enhancing our service. The speed and precision offered by the C64 Edge contribute to reduced lead times, ensuring a seamless experience for our clients.”

Photo: MD, Mark Baker (left) and senior team manager, Tony Burch (right)

See Profile CIM Signs & Graphics

Housebuilder completes deal for 160 new homes near Huntingdon

Housebuilder Vistry Group has completed a £35 million deal to build 160 affordable houses and apartments on the former RAF Upwood base in Ramsey, north of Huntingdon in partnership with the Hyde Group, a social housing provider. It will involve one and two-bed maisonettes and houses. The market town of Ramsey grew up around the Benedictine monastery Ramsey Abbey, parts of which survive today. Andy Reynolds, managing director of Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We're excited to be a part of Huntingdonshire’s growth and to be entrusted with the build of these much-needed new homes which will create a thriving and sustainable community." The site has full planning permission and work is expected to start later in 2024.

Separately, Bellway has been chosen as the preferred development partner for Homes England’s 135 acre site at the former Panshanger Aerodrome in Herts where 760 homes will be built. The land has at been sold to Bellway in a deal agreed by Savills in Cambridge. Bellway is also preparing a planning application for new homes, employment space and drainage mesures on land in Framlingham in east Suffolk.

Distribution and logistics group marks 105^th anniversary

Norwich-based distribution and logistics group Fitzmaurice Carriers is celebrating 105 years operating across the East of England. “We’re proud to have become an established and well-regarded logistics provider in our region. Businesses come to us for our friendly approach and dependability, attributes that have gained us many long-term relationships with employees and clients alike over the last 105 years,” said Matt Richards, operations director at Fitzmaurice Carriers. In its early years, Fitzmaurice Carriers specialised in the distribution of agricultural products. As the company grew, it offered a wider range of services, including general haulage, warehousing and storage. It was subsequently taken over by brothers Kevin, John and Brian Fitzmaurice and the company saw significant growth, becoming one of the most recognisable haulage companies throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, east Cambs and north Essex. Today, Fitzmaurice Carriers has a modern fleet of over 30 vehicles and a comprehensive portfolio of warehouse units. Able to handle loads of all shapes and sizes – from small pallets to full truck-loads – it operates in a large number of sectors including wholesalers, cash & carry outlets, restaurants and schools.