Business in East Anglia

Thursday 09th April 2020

Merger extends law firm’s Suffolk reach with a second Ipswich office

Ellisons Solicitors is merging with Ipswich-based law firm Blocks Solicitors in a move which will see the firm expand in a range of service areas and gain a second office in the town . Ellisons has been keen to expand in Ipswich, particularly in the town centre, since establishing its base at Wherstead Park six years ago. Both Ipswich offices have existing business and personal service teams, specialising in areas which include; agriculture, wills, trust and probate, employment and HR, corporate and commercial, commercial property, dispute Resolution and residential property. Establish...

Welcome for government help but firms urged to seek advice in ‘worrying time’

The chancellor’s employee support measures to help businesses through the virus emergency have been welcomed but any firms facing difficulties have been urged to seek early professional advice.

Mark Upton (right), Eastern chair of insolvency trade body R3 and a partner at Ensors Chartered Accountants in the region, said: “The measures...are a positive step and will go some way in providing businesses with the financial help they need to support and retain their staff and weather the economic storm.” But he added: “However, time will tell whether this package is enough. Detail on...

Surge in venture capital investment drives tech growth in Cambridge

Cambridge has emerged as one of the fastest-growing tech cities in Europe after a new report highlighted a 33 per cent increase in venture capital investment into digital companies in the area and strong levels of activity in robotics. Meanwhile, new tech investment across the wider East of England is growing as new sectors such as agrictech, cleantech and healthtech gather momentum. The annual Tech Nation Report showed VC investment in digital companies around Cambridge rose to £500 million in 2019 from £380 million in the previous year. The city is also emerging as a European leader in...

Number of Cambs companies passes milestone

The number of companies located in Cambridgeshire has passed more than 50,000 for the first time.

At the end of November, 50,066 businesses were registered according to company secretarial software specialist Inform Direct, based on Companies House and ONS figures.

The figures showed that South Cambs had 11,844; Peterborough, 10,665 and Huntingdonshire, 10,091. The city of Cambridge has 8,874 registered businesses. Cambridgeshire had a record year during 2018 when the number of new companies grew by 6.3% to 48,390.

John Korchak (right), director of operations at Inform Direct said: “This is a s...

Welcome for Budget boost to transport and R&D spending in the region

Businesses in the region broadly welcomed the Budget, particularly the prospect of more spending on R&D and transport infrastructure in the East along with help for small firms to deal with Coronovirus . However there were warnings that the moves to give HMRC preferential creditor status in insolvencies would hit business lending and that the measures on business rates relief were a “short term sticking plaster”.

Stuart Wilkinson, EY’s head of tax in Cambridge, said: "The Chancellor’s announcement that he is set to increase R&D investment to £20bn, contributing 2.4 per cent to GDP, is g...

East of England forecast to be one of the fastest growing regions

The East of England is forecast to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the UK over the next three years led by a continuing strong performance by Cambridge, accor...

Property & Construction

Council buys former BT office site in Ipswich for £4.1 million for affordable housing

An Ipswich Borough Council -owned company has bought a town centre site which was formerly a BT office block for £4.1m with plans to build nearly 80 new affordable fl...

Technology

Major fund-raising for Cambridge biotech firms completed

Three Cambridge life sciences businesses have completed significant fund-raising exercises to help finance expansion.

They come as life sciences companies emerged as one ...

Regional Economic News

Cambridge tech and professional services set to bolster region’s growth

The East of England economy is set to grow slightly faster than the national average over coming years in the light of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, thanks partly ...

Finance/Legal/Deals

Law firm advises on transfer at biotech company

Law firm Birketts has advised the director of a leading agricultural research and training company, Crop Management Information, on its transfer of undertakings to a c...

Transport

Stansted expansion plans refused by local council

The planning committee at Uttlesford District Council in Essex, whose area includes London Stansted Airport, has refused the airport's application to serve more passe...

New Media, Marketing & Advertising

Ipswich-based agency marks 15 years of growth

Ipswich-based PR and digital agency Genesis recently marked its 15th anniversary with a party for clients, business partners and community friends at the Royal Harwich...

Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality

Calling all tourism businesses

MHA Larking Gowen has launched its annual Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Business survey, and Chris Scargill, Tourism Partner at the firm, needs your help!

“Interesting ...

Other news . . .

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Business Profiles

An introduction to Birketts LLP

Birketts is a top 100 UK law firm with offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich. Our lawyers deliver expert legal advice combined with a high quality and personalised service. Our clients trust us to achieve a solution that is right for them however difficult or challenging the circumstances. That trust has been earned over time and sets the standard upon which our reputation is based. Alongside our core business areas of corporate and commercial, commercial property, commercial and personal litigation and private client law, we have leading solicitors in specialist areas of the law such as shipping and transportation,...

Begbies Traynor

Begbies Traynor is the UK’s leading business rescue and recovery specialist, with a national network of offices that deliver unrivalled levels of expertise in the areas of insolvency, liquidation, receivership and administration, as well as corporate restructuring and recovery. The firm’s Cambridge office was set up in 2009 and is lead by partner Louise Baxter, who has nearly30 years’ experience. Why choose Begbies Traynor? Our experts are ideally placed to advise on any type or scale of financial problem and to support individual directors through what can be exceptionally tough decision-making processes. If you or your business is looking for guidance on...

Greene & Greene

Greene & Greene is a long established firm of solicitors based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and is recognised by independent legal directories as one of the best law firms in East Anglia. The firm advises individuals and businesses based all over the UK and has been growing steadily year on year since the 1990s. Many clients, who were previously using firms in London, have transferred their business to Greene & Greene after realising the improved cost efficiency and personal service on offer. Many existing clients have remained loyal to the firm over several decades, which is testament...

Barclays

At Barclays, we are fully committed to supporting our clients, in particular, helping them to fulfil their growth potential. In this Brexit era many businesses will be reassessing their plans for growth and may need to re-plan or increase the resilience of their finances. It's in times like these when strong banks should stand tall and help ensure the stability in our economy by continuing our commitment to lend – and that is exactly what Barclays is doing. We continue to enjoy working with existing and new clients and aim to ensure they are at the heart of everything we do....

Gotelee Solicitors

Gotelee Solicitors LLP is a full service law firm in Suffolk. The firm has a well established presence throughout the County acting for private individuals, families in business and organisations. We are competitive on price, offering fixed fees across many areas of law. Our offices are based in Ipswich, Hadleigh, Felixstowe and Woodbridge. Gotelee is the largest purely Suffolk law firm and is proud of its heritage in the county. Our reputation is one of reliability with a genuine focus on client care. Our commercial lawyers are well known and respected in the business community and our private client teams demonstrate...

Genesis PR

Genesis is a leading PR and marketing agency providing award winning consultancy and tactical delivery for today’s digital world. We are the 2018/19 Outstanding PR Consultancy of the Year for Anglia, Thames and Chiltern Region, also winning Gold for Outstanding Corporate and Business Campaign. We were also recognised for two national titles at the 2019 CIPR Excellence awards. What makes us special Our team, because we care deeply about giving the best advice and expert tactical delivery! Our focus is our clients – listening and understanding their challenges, and providing insightful and trustworthy strategic advice and strategic direction to their marketing communications. We thrive...

Sandersons

Intellectual Property Protection, Advice & Strategy Our patent and trade mark attorneys provide practical, commercially-focused advice to businesses across the UK, Europe and worldwide. Services Patent Applications Trade Mark Registration Design Registration IP Searches & Watching IP Renewals IP Oppositions & Litigation IP Advice & Strategy IP Portfolio Management IP Valuations IP Due Diligence For more information on how we can help please call 01206 571187 or email mail@sandersons.co.uk www.sandersons.co.uk What our clients think “They are absolutely superb – they have done a great job for us. They are responsive and know what they are doing. I don’t hesitate in putting anything into their hands. Their pricing...

Penn Commercial

Since its launch 12 years ago, Penn Commercial has grown to become one of the most respected commercial property agents in the east of England. The team of six, which is based in Fox's Marina, offers a wide ranging and award winning service to clients in a variety of sectors. The team is made up of negotiators, property managers and administrators and supported by consultants providing additional specialist services. Managing director, Vanessa Penn, said: "One of our key strengths is that we have a finger on the pulse of what is going on locally. We know where the demand is and how to...

Gipping Occupational Health and Wellbeing

From our base in the Gipping Valley, Suffolk, we provide our comprehensive range of Occupational Health and Wellbeing services throughout the Eastern Counties; from Suffolk to Northants and from Lincolnshire to London. When our customers require it, our reach stretches out across the UK too. The protection of your workforce’s health is tremendously beneficial to their wellbeing and productivity, which in turn brings real benefits to your organisation and an excellent return on your investment in them. You can be assured that our experience and knowledge contribute greatly to the high level of service we deliver. We offer a flexible approach, which...

Sackers Waste and Recycling

Sackers started as a traditional scrap merchant in the 1920’s. In today’s offering we’ve expanded to commercial waste disposal solutions and skip hire. With more and more pressure on businesses to take ownership of their environmental impact, we are offering a free waste audit to Suffolk businesses to identify where they can improve efficiencies, improve recycling ability, reduce carbon footprint and reduce vehicle movement. More often than not we can reduce costs too and we aim to reduce vehicle disturbance on your premises and ensure as much is recycled as possible. Our own business goal is to recycle over 90% of what...

Rogers & Norton

Rogers & Norton is an established and successful law firm based in Norfolk, with offices in Norwich and Attleborough and meeting facilities in London, as it expands its services and client base. We offer a specialist range of legal services to both businesses and individuals and are committed to offering excellent service to all our clients. It is important to us that we ensure that all legal matters are dealt with the personal attention to detail and efficiency that they deserve. We use our proven, specialist expertise in all areas of the law to achieve the best possible outcomes. Rogers and Norton provides...

Fenn Wright

Fenn Wright is East Anglia’s leading, independently owned partnership of chartered surveyors, commercial property experts and estate agents, employing over 150 people. Our surveyors and agents offer an unrivalled range of professional skills and local market knowledge, and we aim to provide industry-leading levels of service. We have a network of offices across Essex and Suffolk with great links to London and represent a wide spectrum of clients. Whether working with investors and developers, landlords and tenants, property companies, pension funds, business owners, private individuals or local authorities, we know the sector inside out and are on hand to help with all...

The Pitt Building

The Pitt Building is an impressive historic conference venue in Cambridge city centre. They offer 8 rooms for hire, including the majestic Oriel Room. The venue is perfect for meetings, away days and conferences, and is only a two minute walk from the river and King’s Parade. Standing on the old main site for Cambridge University Press, The Pitt Building have been providing a dedicated events service for over 15 years. They can provide a variety of catering, from sandwich lunches through to hot fork buffets and canape receptions. Please visit www.pittbuilding.org for further information.

Thompson Smith and Puxon

The firm: Thompson Smith and Puxon can trace its roots back to 1879 and has since grown to be one of the leading law firms in Essex, with 12 partners, some 70 employees, and offices in Colchester and Clacton. It offers a range of legal advice to businesses and individual clients. Its specialist practice areas, with accredited lawyers and attentive support staff, ensure clients receive the most professional and practical advice available. Business services team: TSP looks after the business issues that matter to its clients whether they are large or small. The corporate and commercial team includes a number of...

Fisher Jones Greenwood

FJG is the Essex law firm with deep-rooted ethical values and cast-iron integrity, committed to providing expert legal advice and exceptional client service. FJG’s ethos is to work hard every day to make FJG the preferred choice for anyone requiring legal advice from a law firm with a conscience. Respected by clients and peers alike, FJG are committed to giving back to the locality in which we work, truly wanting to make a difference for you, your business and our shared communities. Together, our employees are driven by a desire to build a law firm for future generations where clients continue...

Trinity Park Events

Great Business, Great Venue. Trinity Park Conference and Events Centre opened for business 15 years ago and has been setting the bar high for business and consumer events alike ever since. From major industry conferences to smaller scale meetings and away days, Trinity Park has played host to business events of all shapes and sizes over the last decade, becoming one of the most popular venues in the East of England. Set in 300 acres, Trinity Park encompasses an award-winning conference and events centre, meeting rooms and park land to accommodate a huge variety of business events from 10 to 1000 delegates. ...