Cautious companies shed jobs as new business dips
Firms are shedding jobs in the region at a fast rate against a background of a dip in new business volumes. Workforce numbers across the East of England’s private sector fell for the eleventh month running in June as firms reported not replacing leavers, hiring freezes, high costs and restructuring. The NatWest East of England growth tracker business activity eased to 53.4 in July, from 55.6 in June, although this still signalled higher output. It placed the East of England as the second-fastest growing UK region at the start of the second half of 2025, just behind London. Lisa Phillips, regional managing director, Midlands and East, commercial mid markets: “The East of England remained in the leading group of UK regions in July, having previously recorded the strongest increases in both output and new business among all 12 nations and regions monitored in June. …The jobs market remains a concern, as employment continued to fall sharply as the level of work-in-hand declined again. Companies clearly remain cautious amid prevailing economic uncertainty and rising costs. The 12-month outlook improved slightly but remained relatively subdued.”
Norfolk holiday homes business secures £4 million finance package for growth
A Norfolk family has secured a new £4 million finance package to boost growth at its holiday homes businesses. Woodland Park, a complex set in 70 acres in Trimingham, was founded by farmers and husband and wife, Edward and Jill Harrison in 1972 and has 375 contemporary and luxury holiday homes. The funding package from Lloyds will help the family modernise the onsite swimming pool and sauna and develop new woodland walk trails. The family is also looking to use the funds to grow its Next Phase Leisure business which partners with holiday home builders to manage the sale and delivery of homes. It is aiming to double the number of units it manages over the next three years, grow its workforce by at least 50 per cent and reach a £10m in turnover. Michael Adams, relationship director at Lloyds, said: “The Harrison family is responsible for not one, but two exciting businesses that are supporting our region’s tourism sector and helping people continue to enjoy the Norfolk countryside during their holidays.” Research from RSM shows 28 per cent will be holidaying closer to home this year, up from 25pc in 2024.
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Cashflow red flags point to ‘perfect economic storm’
A ‘perfect economic storm’ could be brewing in the region after a steep rise in the monthly number of businesses set up in East Anglia this year is coinciding with more cashflow ‘red flags’, according to the Eastern branch of R3. Its figures show that the monthly number of start-ups rose steeply by 44 per cent in East Anglia in July compared to last December, and by 16pc against July last year. At the same time, insolvency-related activity – which includes liquidator and administrator appointments as well as creditors’ meetings – rose by 22pc in July compared to December 2024, and by 42pc against July 2024. The analysis also shows that the number of local companies with late payments on their books remains high. R3 Eastern Chair Hayley Watson, a director at McTear Williams & Wood in Norwich, said: “While local entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly confident in riding out current economic challenges – which include higher employment costs, cautious consumer spending and growing global uncertainty – insolvency-related activity has risen and late payments remain a significant issue.”
Commercial property team grows at law firm as number of instructions rise
Law firm Howes Percival has appointed lease and enfranchisement specialist Ruth Burrell (left) to its growing commercial property team in East Anglia. She has over 20 years’ experience in commercial property working for landlords and tenants on leases of all types of commercial properties. She also works for clients buying or selling commercial properties. Tessa Haskey (right), Howes Percival partner, said: “The commercial property team is growing in response to the increasing number of instructions being received from commercial and mixed-use landlords and tenants and residential landlords or investor tenants. With two key pieces of legislation currently affecting and potentially reshaping parts of the residential leasehold property market and the possibility of commonhold on the horizon, we are anticipating the workload to remain significant.”
Law firm strengthens planning and environmental team
Law firm Birketts, has strengthened its planning and environmental team with the appointment of Nicola Gooch as partner. She has wide expertise in mixed-use regeneration and enabling development projects, providing strategic legal advice across a broad spectrum of private sector clients. She has been acknowledged in both Chambers and The Legal 500 guides and ranked joint fourth in this year’s Planning Law Survey. Tom Newcombe, partner and head of planning and environmental at Birketts, said: “The team is looking forward to working with Nicola and introducing her to our fantastic clients and growing further our planning and environmental law offering in the southeast and beyond.” Her appointment takes the total number of partners at Birketts to 139.
New appointment to growing corporate team in Ipswich
Mark Henry has joined Ashtons Legal’s Ipswich office as a consultant in the firm’s corporate team. He is a highly experienced corporate, banking and finance lawyer with a strong profile within the Ipswich business community. Mark Henry (photo, left) specialises in advising clients on corporate transactions across a wide variety of sectors, including food, transport and motor, manufacturing and technology. He has also headed up the banking team of what is now a national law firm. CEO James Tarling (right) said: “Mark shares our passion for helping businesses thrive and succeed. The corporate team has grown very successfully over the past two years, and Mark’s appointment is the latest step in delivering our ambitious strategic growth plans.”
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