New campaign launched to boost investment in the East
A new inward investment initiative, Invest East, was launched in Ipswich last week to promote the region to investors and drive what is described as a ‘multi-billion-pound growth opportunity.’ It follows the publication of a £4 billion pipeline of projects in the region last year highlighting the potential for the East in areas such as clean energy, connectivity and new housing. Launching the latest new initiative, Ipswich MP Jack Abbott said: “The East of England has long punched above its weight. We are a net contributor to the UK economy, powering national growth, bolstering our country’s food and energy security, and leading the way in technological and scientific innovation….”
He added:“ We have a window of opportunity to finally deliver the infrastructure and investment the East of England needs, but we have to be ambitious enough to take advantage of this moment.” He was speaking at the 2026 Infrastructure & Investment Conference, where representatives from local authorities, business groups, and government explored ways to accelerate investment, shape strategic priorities and bolster the region’s voice in national decision-making.
Separately, Anglian Water is consulting local people on its plans for a new 49 km pipeline from Lolworth, near Cambridge, to the Rede storage reservoir in Suffolk, in the next stage of a strategic pipeline network that will move water more efficiently across the region.
Photo: Panelists at the 2026 Infrastructure & Investment Conference at The Hold in Ipswich
Former council office site sold to support regeneration of Suffolk market town
Mid Suffolk District Council has sold the remainder of its former offices site in Needham Market to a housebuilder, Hatch Homes, in a deal that supports the town’s regeneration and will generate funds for council housing. A first phase of the redevelopment of the council office site created 32 homes, including affordables, and a new retail unit. A second phase was due to include a further 48 homes for open market and the redevelopment of grade II-listed Hurstlea House into apartments. But when the council’s development partner stepped back the site went onto the open market. Hatch Homes has now stepped in to deliver the site in line with current planning consent. Thomas Higgins, at the selling agent Savills in Chelmsford, said: “The development represents an exciting opportunity to deliver sustainable growth in the shape of high quality residential use in a popular town centre location, and will significantly contribute to the supply of much-needed new homes in the local area.”
Hatch Homes managing director Jack Pointer said: “Bringing forward this scheme for redevelopment allows us to transform a long-vacant and declining brownfield site into a positive residential scheme that will reinvigorate this part of the town.” Work is expected to begin on site next month with completion by 2029.
Separately, the freehold of an office property of almost 2,200 sq ft on Jesus Lane in Cambridge that was marketed last autumn for £950,000, has been sold. Ben Green of agents BTG Eddisons said: “Freehold office opportunities don’t often come forward in Cambridge, in general, far less in such prime locations with college views. This property was always going to generate serious interest and did not fail to demonstrate the enduring demand for centrally located freeholds.”
Indie computer venture set to put Peterborough ‘on the UK games map’
A new initiative is set to give a boost to independent computer and video games developers in Peterborough by creating a ‘connected community‘ around the city. Set up in partnership with ARU Peterborough, People in Games (PinG) aims to grow the local games sector by bringing together students, developers, creatives and industry professionals. Quarterly events will run alongside fortnightly online sessions that connect creators across the region. Consumers spend over £7.5 billion annually on video games in the UK and the sector supports over 73,000 jobs. Most studios employ fewer than four people whilst ARU Peterborough offers a BSc (Hons) degrees in game design and development and in game design and digital art courses, co-designed with employers. Umar Ijaz of Peterborough-based Agapo Games and co-founder of PinG, said: “People in Games is about building Peterborough’s grassroots indie games ecosystem. By connecting developers, students, and creatives, we’re creating a space where ideas can be shared, skills can grow, and early-stage studios can get the support they need to thrive. This is the start of a long-term effort to put Peterborough more visibly on the UK games map.”
Cambridge company marks International Women’s Day with new initiatives
Cambridge company Domino marked International Women’s Day last week with a series of initiatives to boost its support for women in the workplace. Bar Hill-based Domino is committed to improving the gender ratio in leadership roles, setting a target of 40 per cent by 2030. Endorsed from board level down, this now stands at 25pc from 18pc initially. Recently the company re-launched its Women@Domino global network to share ideas and experiences, as well as networking, mentoring, events and training and where male colleagues are encouraged to take part. Recent events have included help to ‘build your own brand’ and ‘speed mentoring’ for junior colleagues along with an enhanced maternity pay policy. Josie Harries, global business development Director – OEM and lead for the Women@Domino network, said: “We are delighted to mark International Women’s Day by highlighting the range of initiatives we have introduced to further support women within our business. Not only is it a space where women and their allies can connect, learn and grow to progress their careers, but it also facilitates events and training opportunities that can broaden skillsets to meet the challenges of today.”
Photo (l-r): Ainara Asteinza, Rachel Hurst, Vijay Jayakumari, Amanda Braund and Belinda Pryor.
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