East of England bucks national trend as more new tech companies launch
The East of England has bucked a national downturn in tech company launches in the opening months of this year by recording a rise a small rise in the number of new firms starting life in the sector. The region saw 993 new tech companies launched in the first quarter, a two per cent rise on the period a year earlier and in contrast to a 12 per cent decline in the number nationally, according to figures from RSM UK. Laragh Jeanroy, office managing partner in Cambridge at RSM UK, said: “It’s encouraging to see that despite the national slowdown in new tech incorporations, the East of England is bucking the trend. This is down to the strength of research and academic institutions which the region is home to, along with access to funding for startups and a supportive ecosystem including serial entrepreneurs, angel investors and venture capitalists, which early-stage tech businesses need to thrive.” Tech incorporations in the East in the first quarter rose by 17 per cent compared to the final three months of last year, outpacing a 10 pc rise in the UK total to 12,184.
But tariff disruptions and economic uncertainty cloud the UK tech sector’s prospects. Ben Bilsland, partner and head of technology industry at RSM UK, added: “Global economic uncertainty has taken hold in the UK’s tech sector, with business leaders being increasingly cautious about making investment and recruitment decisions.”
Consultation launches on plans to create ‘globally significant’ innovation district in Cambridge
The Crown Estate, the sovereign’s public estate, has launched the second phase of a public consultation on proposals to transform Cambridge Business Park. The plan involves a hub which it is hoped will help create a globally significant innovation district in Northeast Cambridge. A masterplan will be brought forward in phases spanning a c.15-year period, combining refurbished, retrofitted, and new buildings with better green space, biodiversity, and public access. Key aims include creating over 5,000 new jobs chiefly in growth areas with a positive social impact such as cleantech and planetary health and delivering more than 350 new homes. Initiatives on skills and education, a new high street, sustainable travel, a charity hub and new leisure, sport, and community facilities are also envisaged. Matthew Sampson, regeneration director at The Crown Estate, said: “Cambridge Business Park has a key role to play in shaping the next chapter of Northeast Cambridge. Our vision is to bridge national mission-led innovation and local social impact, through supporting science and innovation that tackles major challenges – like planetary health – while delivering meaningful opportunities for local people.”
Cambridge firms top global rankings for seed companies that mature
Startups and scaleups businesses around Cambridge raised $2.3 billion in 2024, the second-best year on record and almost double 2023’s $1.2 billion, according to an analysis by Dealroom for Founders at the University of Cambridge. It shows that the “explosion in entrepreneurship across Cambridge means the city is now top globally for the number of Seed companies that mature to Series A…” It adds: “In recent years, 41 per cent of Cambridge tech companies reached Series A, compared to 40pc of startups in the Bay Area (around San Francisco) and 35pc and 33pc respectively for Oxford and London. The ROI has increased too: Cambridge startups produce $17.7 in value for every dollar for VC invested, up from $16.9 last year.”
Helen Earl, centre manager for The EpiCentre at Haverhill (photo) that hosts start-ups coming out of Cambridge said: “The success of Cambridge is good news for us all and has a knock-on benefit for The EpiCentre. At The EpiCentre, we’re dedicated to helping innovative businesses thrive. Our Growth Accelerator Programme offers a comprehensive approach to scaling your business, whether you’re seeking funding, space, or expert support.” The EpiCentre, provides laboratory and office space as well as meeting and conference rooms and is now over 70 per cent full with 40 companies in occupation.
Warehouse units up for sale on doorstep of Sizewell C
As hopes rise of a positive announcement on Sizewell C in the government’s coming spending review, seven warehouse units are available for freehold sale in Leiston, on the doorstep of the nuclear facility. Penn Commercial is working with joint national agent JLL to promote the units at Masterlord Leiston, ranging from 7,438 – 88,781 sq ft. Vanessa Penn, managing director of Penn Commercial, said: “These seven warehouse units are strategically located in Leiston, only 10 minutes from Sizewell C, and would be ideal for the supply chain for this ambitious nuclear scheme, comprising both warehousing and office accommodation.” The units and are in traditional style, with asbestos roofs. Sizewell C is potentially set to create up to 70,000 UK jobs, involving some 2,000 suppliers, and drive significant investment as it is developed over the next 9-12 years.
Norfolk solicitors win appeal for client on HMRC demand for Vat on imported food supplies
The HMRC Litigation team at Norfolk solicitors Rogers and Norton has successfully appealed a VAT demand for a London-based client who owns and runs a food supplies business. The case marked a significant success for the client and demonstrated an interesting point of law on tax declaration for imported goods. HMRC alleged that the client had undervalued bottled water imported from 2017 and issued a tax demand for over £434, 000 – later reduced to over £121,000 – for VAT on the imports. R &N’s team led by Peter Hastings and supported by Lauren Nelson-Smith and Maria Taylor, had challenged the assessment from the outset. The grounds of the appeal were that, although it had made payments in excess of the amount that the client declared VAT on, the payments were in respect of an agreement between the client and his supplier in Turkey, which was made to secure a better price for the imports. They were not payments in respect of the import of the actual goods. The appeal was heard before the First-Tier Tribunal Tax Chamber in March 2025, with the judgment being handed down on 1 May. …Read more online
Business collaboration creates smoother walkways for visitors to seaside attraction
As Great Yarmouth gets set for one of its busiest times of the year visitors to one its best-known marine exhibits and family attractions, SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth should benefit from smoother walkways thanks to the installation of new resin bound surfaces. The project was delivered through a collaboration between specialist supplier Resins ‘R’ Us – based in Colton, Norfolk and local installers Studios East, based in Great Yarmouth, working with the SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth team. Julie Curtis, operations manager at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth, said: “Our guests’ comfort and accessibility are top priorities for us. The new resin flooring and stairs make a noticeable difference to how easily families, wheelchair users, and all visitors can enjoy everything we have to offer. We’re delighted with the result and grateful to our local partners for their expertise.”
Photo: Daniel Harvey (left) of Studios East, Julie Curtis, operations manager of Sealife Great Yarmouth and Resins ‘R’ Us operations & transport manager, Matthew Brister.
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