Business in East Anglia

Resilient law firms keep busy with real estate and diversification projects

East Anglia’s legal market has continued to demonstrate its resilience following challenging conditions in recent years, according to the newly-published Legal 500 UK Solicitors 2025 rankings.

While a long-predicted wave of insolvencies is yet to materialise, it says restructuring practices remain steady in the region, particularly in the SME and mid-market spaces. Cambridge, Norwich and Peterborough have all seen 'notable real estate action', with housing, commercial and mixed-use developments dominating law firms' workloads.

Firms have also been kept busy with work on biodiversity net g...

Norfolk garden buildings firm makes multi-million investment in new robotics

Norfolk-based Crane Garden Buildings is investing in a new multi-million pound state-of-the-art robotic spray line, the largest investment in the family-run company’s 50-year history.

Founded in 1974 by David and Linda Crane the business has grown to what it says is the UK's leading supplier of high-quality garden buildings. Based in Narford, the company is now run by their sons; James and Nick Crane and the new investment will eliminate half a million manual lifts each year. Owner James Crane said: “We’re not just surviving; we’re thriving. As a growing company, we're looking ...

Budget worries knock business confidence in the region

Concerns amongst firms over potential tax rises and other measures which may feature in the autumn Budget appear to have shaken business confidence in the region and dented hiring intentions. A business barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking showed that business confidence in the East of England fell by 30 points during September to 22 per cent, its lowest level for 18 months and down from 52 pc in August.

Kirsty Sadler, regional director for the East of England, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While this fall in confidence may come as a shock during harvest season, with ...

New food hall set to open in Ipswich town centre building after £2 million refurbishment

A former Yates’s bar in Ipswich town centre is undergoing a £2 million refurbishment to create a new international food hall which will create 75 new jobs. Penn Commercial has let the 11,172 sq ft Trafalgar House to Sandeep Singh on a 20-year lease. With work now underway the hope is that the new ‘Tower Street Food Hall’ will open before Christmas. The venue, opposite the bus station, has been in planning for two years and will feature a range of food stalls, two bars and a children’s play area. The ground floor will see food counters offering various cuisines, including Itali...

Pet food producer to invest £150 million in modernising Cambs plant

Pet food producer Purina - owner of major brands such as Felix, Gourmet and Winalot - is investing more than £150 million at its factory in Wisbech in Cambs and creating 40 new jobs on a modernisation programme set to run until next year. The upgrade of the plant, which is set to run until next year, will modernise the technology and machinery on its production lines, improve facilities for the 600 employees and boost energy efficiency. Investment in staff skills is also planned together with a refurbishment of changing rooms and break out areas and a new car park. Jez McInerney, Puri...