Growing business confidence shows ‘region clearly has momentum’
Business confidence in the East of England jumped in November and more firms are planning to recruit as faith in their own prospects improved despite being slightly less optimistic on the overall economic outlook. Confidence rose by six points in November to 46 per cent, according to a business barometer survey from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking taken before the Autumn Statement. Companies’ confidence in their own prospects rose 17 points to 57 per cent, a level second only to London. But optimism on the economy amongst firms in the East dipped five points to 36 per cent. The balance of businesses in the region expecting to increase staff levels over the next year rose eight points to 32 per cent. Firms’ top target areas for growth in the next six months were seen as evolving their offer, diversifying into new markets and investing in teams. Nationally, service sector firms recorded their highest level of confidence in over two years and retail confidence also rose for a second month running. Dene Jones, regional director for the East of England at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “A second consecutive month of growing confidence shows the region clearly has momentum heading into the end of year. This period tends to be very busy, particularly for many of the region’s agriculture businesses, who will be busy prepping the food that will sit on dining tables across the country in fewer than four weeks.”
Plans submitted for new 70 acre business park near Ipswich
Developer Churchmanor Estates has submitted an outline planning application for a new business park on a 70 acre site at the Seven Hills A12/A14 interchange in Ipswich. The proposed scheme, Seven Hills Business Park, will allow for a total of around 88,000 sqm of offices, industrial and warehouse space, park facilities, a new road junction and improvements to public transport and for cycling and pedestrians. The site, to the southeast of jct. 58 of the A14, is allocated in the 2020 East Suffolk Local Plan. The masterplan involves developing the existing tree belts and perimeter landscaping to increase biodiversity and with buildings in a range of sizes to serve local, national and international businesses. Matt Cloke, development director at Churchmanor, said: “This site will create an exciting and much needed new employment destination to support growth in the East Suffolk area and promote new business opportunities.”
Alistair Mitchell of Fenn Wright said: “Fenn Wright represent the landowners the Orwell Settlement Trustees and are working closely with Churchmanor in progressing the application, which we are confident will be well received.” Churchmanor has a strong track record in the region with developments which include Colchester Business Park, Chelmsford Business Park and Suffolk Business Park.
Major new manufacturing facility completed in Peterborough
Trebor Developments has reached practical completion on Crown Packaging Manufacturing UK’s new Peterborough plant which is the firm’s largest beverage can producing facility. It provides 632,000 sq ft of production and distribution space, new hq offices and a fully automated clad rack system. The project also marks a significant capital investment into the Peterborough area and hundreds of jobs and the bespoke unit has transformed the former MARS Petcare site, a 30-acre brownfield regeneration opportunity. Greg Dalton, development director for Trebor, said: “…Our project management team, technical consultants, and legal representatives have worked tirelessly to get this over the line on a programme that has meant that we achieved practical completion and Crown starting their production simultaneously.”
Richard Ford, director of project management & engineering for Crown, said: “Achieving practical completion of our new state-of-the-art facility marks the transition of this major construction project into a high speed aluminium beverage can manufacturing operation serving the demand of our customers in the UK and contributing to employment in the Peterborough region for many years to come.”
Norwich shopping centre invests in rooftop solar farm
Central Norwich shopping centre Chantry Place has invested £285,000 in its rooftop solar farm, almost doubling capacity. The centre has added an additional 518 new solar panels taking the total to1,290 which will provide 41 per cent of its annual energy needs. The solar farm is expected to have a 25-year working life. Paul McCarthy, general manager at Chantry Place, said: “Having halved our own energy consumption since 2010, we are continuing to drive energy efficiency across our operations and build a more sustainable future for Chantry Place. We were one of the first shopping centres in the UK to invest in a rooftop solar farm in 2016 and this continued investment in adding more panels, funded by our owners, is another step to boosting our green credentials.” Vantage Zero was principal contractor for the new solar array, working with One Energy and GGRS Energy. Chantry Place has also recently partnered with Zest to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points at the centre.
Financial planning firm recognised among top 100
A Suffolk-based chartered financial planning firm, Kingsfleet, has been recognised among the top 100 leaders in the sector by Citywire’s New Model Adviser. “Having achieved B Corp certification last year, the small business is now hard at work promoting the accreditation and encouraging good practice across the industry,” said Citywire, a globally recognised platform for financial professionals.
MD and chartered financial planner Colin Low said: “This achievement underscores our commitment to excelling in our field and highlights the exceptional work of our team in delivering the best financial solutions to our clients.”
Fundraising challenge raises £4k for Norfolk-based cancer charity
A charity providing handpicked gifts to support people with breast cancer is to receive nearly £4,500 gift after Norfolk-based CIM Signs and Graphics completed a fundraising campaign. Little Lifts launched the ‘Corporate Challenge 250’ initiative to help raise funds to continue to provide care boxes to those affected. Little Lifts provided £250 to kickstart the fundraising; the challenge was for the team to turn it into £2,500 over eight months. CIM managing director Mark Baker said: “When Little Lifts approached us about the challenge, it was a no-brainer. A few of the team have family or friends who have been affected by breast cancer, so it is an important charity to them…. Not only did it raise funds for the charity it also helped our team to get together, get out and exercise, improve wellbeing and boost morale.” Rackheath-based CIM was part of a group of three businesses including SaxonAir and Sinclair International, which together raised over £12,000. CIM supports local charities via its annual calendar highlighting 12 charities across the county, often selected by its team.
Photo (l-r): Tony Burch, Louis Moyse, Richard Moyse and Mark Baker.
