Innovative businesses in the East attract ‘follow-on investment’
The East of England ranks as one of the UK’s leading innovation economies with businesses attracting more follow-on investment than in any other English region outside London, according to research from NatWest. Its report, From Innovation to Impact, found that 29.8 per cent of innovation-backed businesses in the East of England have secured follow-on equity investment. Only London stood higher at 33.7pc while the East outperformed the UK average of 26.4pc and was well ahead of both the East Midlands (19.5pc) and West Midlands (15.4pc). According to the report, the East (including Milton Keynes) is home to 2,446 innovative businesses and 1,212 recipients of public innovation grants. It points to strong links between businesses, investors, universities and research institutions which help firms access the capital needed to grow and commercialise new technologies. Among grant-backed businesses, 10.5pc have achieved an exit, while 6.4pc have shown recognised scale-up growth. But some 37pc of grant-backed businesses remain active but have not yet secured follow-on investment, achieved an exit or shown scale-up growth. Dipesh Mistry, chair of the NatWest Midlands and East of England regional board, said: “The challenge for many innovative firms isn’t developing the technology. It’s making the transition from innovation to commercial success. Helping more businesses make that journey could unlock further growth, investment and skilled jobs across the region.”
Norfolk Broads marina put up for sale for £6 million
Brundall Gardens Marina on the River Yare on the Norfolk Broads has been put for sale for £6 million through Savills. The freehold property of around 47 acres located seven miles east of Norwich at Brundall village includes holiday business and a development opportunity. As well as two marina basins providing 177 berths, the site has extensive boating infrastructure along with five duplex holiday cottages and a three-bed riverside house currently let for holiday space. Kay Griffiths, director in the leisure and trading team at Savills, said: “Brundall Gardens Marina represents a rare opportunity to acquire a substantial riverside holding in one of the Norfolk Broads’ most popular locations. With an established marina operation, a successful holiday accommodation business and consented development potential, it combines multiple income streams with clear scope to unlock additional value.” The property has planning permission for the development of dry boat storage to accommodate an additional 68 boats.
New town hub aims to ‘foster stronger community connections’
Designs for a new ‘town hub’ at a major new development under construction have been submitted at Northstowe in Cambs. South Cambs District Council has submitted a planning application for the facility which will bring together health, wellbeing and learning services under one roof. It comes as Northstowe, one of the largest new towns under construction in the UK, expands towards a population of up to 28,000 people and around 10,000 new homes. The new four-storey building has been designed as a ‘vibrant community destination’, providing over 4,000 sq m of flexible space including more than 1,290 sq m for healthcare. The project, led by AtkinsRéalis’ Cambridge-based team, also features a large community hall for events, meeting rooms and workspace, a new library and a café and social space. Richard Bonner, managing director for buildings and places, AtkinsRéalis, said: “In the town hub we have an innovative concept that breaks down traditional boundaries between healthcare, culture and civic life….By integrating these functions into a single destination, the building will help foster stronger community connections and support healthier, more resilient communities. This is an approach we would expect to see more of as new towns emerge across the UK.” The building will be called Wayfinder from the historic trig point that occupied the site, formerly RAF Oakington.
Royal visit to university in Peterborough marks five years of impact
The Duke of Gloucester visited ARU Peterborough last week to mark five years of the city’s new university. ARU Peterborough was set up by Anglia Ruskin University, Peterborough City Council and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority to provide quality, career-focused education that meets the needs of local people, businesses and public services. Since 2021, ARU Peterborough has worked with over 200 businesses and public sector organisations to shape its course provision and more than half of its undergraduate students live within the Peterborough postcode. Key initiatives include the Upskill Peterborough course, which supports young people not in education, employment or training, employment bootcamps delivered in partnership with Anglian Water’s @one Alliance, and the BOOST programme. Professor Ross Renton, principal and CEO of ARU Peterborough, said: “Thousands of students have benefited from studying close to home, many of whom may otherwise never have attended university, while our partnerships with employers and organisations are helping to address skills shortages and drive local growth.”
Separately, a topping out ceremony has marked a key point on the construction of Great Haddon Primary School in Peterborough. Staff from Peterborough City Council, the Hampton Academies Trust and Morgan Sindall Construction’s Cambs business marked the completion of the building’s steel structure by signing the exposed beams. The school will provide a two-storey, two form-entry facility for a new housing development south of the city and is set to complete in late 2026. Morgan Sindall was appointed alongside Lungfish Architects by the council and the project was procured via the SCAPE Construction Framework.
Law firm secures accreditation for business and social responsibility
Law firm Birketts has become a Certified B Corporation an internationally-recognised accreditation for high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Birketts achieved a verified B Impact score of 99.5, above the 80-point threshold required. B Corp Certification assesses the entirety of a business’ operations and covers impact areas related to practices around governance, workers, community, the environment and customers. Marieke Schrauwers, head of responsible business at Birketts, said: “B Corp certification is not just about achieving a score. It is about taking the time to understand where we are performing well, where we can have greater impact and how we continue to raise the bar.”
Jonathan Agar DL, chief executive at Birketts, added: “This certification is a significant milestone for Birketts and reflects who we are as a business and the values that guide us.”
New coach service launches to link Ipswich and Colchester to London
Travel company Flixbus is launching a new coach service linking Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford to London from this week. A new long-distance coach service will run daily between Ipswich Cardinal Park, Colchester, Chelmsford and London Stratford, with tickets starting at £4.49. Shamil Maindiratta, managing director of FlixBus UK, said: “We’re bringing FlixBus to the counties of Suffolk and Essex for the first time in our history… Coach is the comfortable, convenient and affordable alternative to the car and train, and we are seeing soaring demand for coach services across the country as more people discover the joy of travelling with us.”
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