Go ahead for major expansion of Cambridge life sciences site
A major expansion of Cambridge Biomedical Campus is set to go ahead involving up to £3 billion of private investment after Cambs County Council approved a land deal with its development partner Prologis to expand the site. Prologis can now start preparatory work on phases three and four of the campus to be developed on 67 acres of land which the council owns over the next two decades. With a goal to double the size of the site, the new phases will add up to 2.4 million sq ft of life sciences R & D innovation space for businesses at every stage of growth. Co-working labs, learning spaces, a skills and training centre, keyworker flats and offices are envisaged along with investment in transport. Cllr. Karen Young, chair of the council’s assets and procurement committee, said: “The Cambridge Biomedical Campus is Europe’s largest centre for medical research and health science, and this decision represents an important step in supporting its long-term growth. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Cambridgeshire and the UK more widely. It will deliver fantastic facilities, thousands of jobs, accelerate scientific innovation, and will be a huge boost to Cambridgeshire’s economy.“ Based at the southern end of Hills Road in the city, Cambridge Biomedical Campus is home to AstraZeneca’s global hq, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK.
Separately, developer Stanhope and architects Bennetts Associates, have secured planning permission for the renewal of Kett House in Cambridge’s CB1 business district. The scheme involves an eight-storey, 160,000 sq. ft, office building and includes three landscaped gardens and a colonnaded public realm.
‘Manifesto’ launched to drive business growth in Greater Essex
A new initiative aimed at accelerating growth, attracting investment and unlocking opportunity across Essex was launched to an audience of business people last week by The Greater Essex Business Board (GEBB). The Greater Essex: Globally Connected, Powered by Ambition manifesto noted that with a £55bn economy, 94,000 businesses and 878,000 jobs, the area is already one of the UK’s largest and fastest-growing regional economies. If the region performed in line with the wider South East, it could generate up to £8bn more in economic output each year, says the GEBB. Priority areas for action include infrastructure, inward investment, skills and ‘inspiring business growth’. Significant investments already underway across the area, include £1.1bn at London Stansted Airport, up to £1bn at DP World London Gateway, the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing, and clean-energy and offshore opportunities at Freeport East and Thames Freeport. Julia Gregory, chair of the board, said: “As governance arrangements evolve, it is vital that business has a strong voice in shaping decisions on infrastructure, skills and investment. By working in partnership with local leaders and a future Mayor, we can accelerate growth and ensure Greater Essex is recognised as a globally connected destination for business.”
New digital workspace opens in Colchester after £6.25 million redevelopment
A new home for digital, creative and tech businesses has opened in Colchester after a £6.25 million redevelopment of a former bus depot. The new Digital Forum is seen as a significant step in the regeneration of the area around the city’s Queen Street, creating flexible workspace meeting and event facilities in a previously empty building. The development, close to the historic Castle Park Grounds, brings together private offices, co-working and hot-desking, with ultra-fast 10Gb connectivity and smart building infrastructure and is close to transport links. Parris Andrews, deputy CEO of Colbea, who will be operating the space, said: “The Digital Forum is an incredible building, and will breathe new life into the city centre. We have combined heritage in design with cutting-edge architecture and technology to create a space that is future-fit for our ambitious city centre.”
Cllr David King, leader of Colchester City Council, said: “This Digital Forum shows the momentum now building across Colchester’s city centre. With new public spaces like St Nicholas Square, the upcoming St Botolph’s Quarter, the restoration of Jumbo and private investment such as Minerva House (the former M&S), we are seeing real, visible change.” The development has been largely funded through a £6.25 million investment from the Local Growth Fund and Colchester City Council.
Private firms optimistic for growth but still shedding jobs
The East of England private sector grew in January helped by stronger demand and improved sentiment but firms are continuing to shed jobs, according to a key survey of purchasing managers. The NatWest East of England growth tracker business activity index rebounded to 52.9 in January, up from 49.6 in December. Private sector workforce levels fell for the 17th month running in January, with firms citing recruitment freezes, internal reorganisations and cost pressures. But firms in the East are increasingly optimistic of growth over the next 12 months in January and sentiment was the strongest since July 2024. Confidence was linked to new business wins, expansion plans, diversification, acquisitions, export growth and new capacity. Cost pressures fell and were lower than a year ago but remained above the long-term average. Lisa Phillips, regional managing director, Midlands and East, commercial mid markets at NatWest, said: “January’s figures suggest business conditions in the East of England have improved – output is back in growth, new business has returned and confidence is firmer than it was at the end of last year….The next phase is about turning early momentum into lasting growth, protecting resilience while making disciplined decisions on people, pricing and investment, particularly for firms balancing domestic demand with import-export exposure.”
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Experienced tax partner accepted for professional forum
Sam Stent, a tax advisory partner at Scrutton Bland has been accepted as a member of the Stamp Taxes Practitioners Group – a professional forum made up of specialists in stamp taxes. They share information and best practice on Stamp Taxes with the public and with advisers, alongside consulting with and providing input to HMRC on legislative matters. Sam Stent, who specialises in property taxes, has over 35 years’ experience in all areas of taxation including SDLT, capital gains tax and residence and domicile matters. She said: “After spending more hours than I care to admit with my head buried in Finance Act 2003, I am very proud to have had my application accepted. I will undoubtedly learn loads from this very clever bunch and will be trying my best to also contribute a thing or two!”
Ipswich-based insurance broker adopts new name after acquisition
Andrew Thompson & Associates Insurance Brokers has formally adopted the Alan Boswell Insurance Brokers name following the larger group’s acquisition of the Ipswich-based firm last April. Andrew Thompson, who continues to lead the Ipswich operation, said: “Joining Alan Boswell’s last year has strengthened our ability to support clients with greater reach and services. Shifting to the ABIB brand reflects our shared ambition to build on AT&A’s foundations and invest further in the communities we serve. Our clients will see the same familiar faces, supported by the strength and scale of the larger group.” Alan Boswell Group has over 450 staff and offices across Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Norwich, Peterborough, Boston, and Grimsby and is continuing to expand its offering across the region.
Photo: Alan Boswell Group Ipswich office
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Training ‘cluster’ to expand as Cambridge company creates new apprenticeships
Cambridge company Domino is creating two new apprentice roles for this year to mark National Apprenticeship Week (9th-16th February) and the tenth year of its own award-winning apprenticeship scheme. Since it was set up in 2016, the scheme has seen 38 employees benefit from being able to earn whilst they learn and gain experience. Domino has seen a 75 per cent retention rate and many apprentices have advanced from entry-level roles to degree-qualified engineers. Last year Domino led a new initiative with Automate UK, creating a member Cluster to deliver reciprocal training and team building and expand the acquisition of skills and experience for the manufacturing sector. Current plans are to expand the cluster nationally following pilot schemes with Make UK. Mark Gearing, print system director at Domino, said: “What we can offer has now been enhanced with the launch of our ground-breaking Apprenticeship Cluster program which is growing from strength to strength, delivering valuable reciprocal opportunities for the apprentices participating and benefitting companies too as we futureproof our workforce…” Domino is offering two opportunities at its Bar Hill hq, a machine learning apprentice and an advanced analytical chemist apprentice, both level 6.
Photo: Domino apprentices (l-r): Liam Andrews , Sam Darts, Alex Stevenson, Charlie Stokes and Jace Jacobs.
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