Firms set to keep investing despite concerns over customer demand
Finding new capital and weak demand are the main challenges facing mid-sized companies in the region but firms are still investing in innovation and product expansion for growth. Some 41 per cent of East Anglia mid-market businesses over the next six months, identified sourcing new capital and ‘declining customer demand’ as the top pressures in BDO’s survey of 500 firms with turnovers between £10- 300m. Barriers to exporting, rising labour costs and sustainability are also concerns for businesses in the sector. But the survey says mid-sized businesses remain resilient and are still striving to grow. More than a third are sourcing new capital to fund expansion, while a third of East Anglia firms are investing in R&D to offer more innovative products and services. Peter Harrup, regional managing partner at BDO in East Anglia, said: “It’s encouraging to see such a high proportion of regional businesses looking to source new capital to fund growth, investing in R&D and expanding products and services despite the challenges they face.”
Separately, business confidence in the East of England rose 34 points during February to 61 per cent, according to a business barometer from Lloyds. Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects rose by 25 points to 74 per cent, while optimism in the economy climbed 42 points to 48 per cent. Kirsty Sadler, regional director for the East of England at Lloyds, said: “Confidence continues to build in the East, driven by a stronger economic outlook. “
Planning go-ahead granted for new business development at Haverhill Research Park

Property developer Jaynic has been granted renewed outline planning permission for a development of up to 44,000 sq ft of space for light industrial, office, R&D or labs at Haverhill Research Park in Suffolk. The 1.85-acre plot 200 at Enterprise Way is the last remaining site at the research park and is available in buildings of 10-44,000 sq ft with bespoke design and build. The plot is next to The Epicentre, a 30,000 sq ft office and lab building with an on-site cafe and meeting/conference facilities. Development director Ben Oughton said: “Following on from the success of The EpiCentre where there are some 38 companies in occupation, plot 200 offers companies the perfect opportunity to be part of an established business location with on-site parking together with pub/ restaurant, nursery and café facilities all in one place.” Agent for the scheme is Cheffins.
Expanding solicitors firm opens new office in Norfolk

Norfolk-based Rogers & Norton Solicitors has recently officially opened the doors to its new branch office in Dereham in the county as part of its ongoing expansion. It marks an important step forward allowing the firm to bring its legal expertise closer to the town’s community. The firm provides a full range of legal services to business owners, individuals and families. Rogers & Norton’s head office in Norwich and branch in Attleborough continue to be at the core of its services. It has also long-supported clients further afield with meeting facilities in London to serve the growing needs of its clients and provide an option for those in Norfolk with matters in the capital. It also supports an international client base spanning Europe, the US and the Far East.
Cambridge start up wins legal support in sustainable tech programme

Cambridge company Spotta – which has developed a sustainable solution to tackle insect pests – has won Impact 55, a programme to help start-ups in Cambridgeshire using tech to create positive social or environmental change. They won after a recent day of pitches arranged by law firm HCR Hewitsons, which created the programme. Spotta’s technology has many applications including monitoring and management of bed bugs in hotels. Spotta will receive £25,000 worth of legal support from HCR whilst three companies judged runners up – Biotryp Therapeutics, Cellexcel and Lambda Agri – will each receive £10,000 of support. Inger Anson, partner and head of the the law firm’s Cambridge office, said: “Impact55 was the first competition of this kind that we’ve run, and the pitching day had a real buzz to it. …The four successful businesses are truly making an impact in multiple sectors and multiple countries.”
Photo: Inger Anson and Robert Fryers, co-founder and CEO of Spotta.
Ipswich-based agent wins award for industrial property activity
Ipswich-based property agent Penn Commercial has been named the third most active industrial agent in the East of England in CoStar’s Annual Awards 2025. The awards recognise the agencies who have ‘secured the top leasing and sales deals across the UK in 2024’. Penn Commercial worked with BGO and Equation Properties as joint agents – alongside M1 Agency and JLL – to let over 1 million sq ft of high-quality spec-built warehousing space at Orwell Logistics Park at Nacton outside Ipswich to Sizewell C in summer 2024. CoStar said: “We’re delighted to recognise the achievements of our award winners, and to celebrate their hard work and dedication in the commercial property industry.”
Chemists at Cambridge company secure accolades

Two employees at Cambridge company Domino have achieved accreditations from the Royal Society of Chemistry. Chemists Penny Streatfeild secured membership (MRSC) status and Brett McElwaine chartered chemist (CChem) status through Domino’s RSC-accredited training scheme. The internationally-recognised award requires chemical scientists to maintain high professional standards through continued learning and reflective practice. Domino’s three in-house co-ordinators who run the scheme – Dr Steven Lancaster, lead analytical R&D scientist, Christina Bird, senior analytical chemist and Fiona Calver, senior ink verification specialist – said: “We are delighted that two more of our scientists have recently been successful in achieving this important recognition of their skills and experience.” Domino’s RSC-accredited training scheme has been running since 2013 and19 chemists have achieved chartered chemist status and one has achieved membership status.
Photo: Brett McElwaine and Penny Streatfeild with their certificates.
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