Electric truck hub planned for Felixstowe as competition from London ports grows
A new electric truck hub is being planned in Felixstowe to serve heavy goods vehicles using the port with backing from the Freeport East low tax zone. The development comes as the growth of London Gateway port meant more box units moved through the Thames Estuary than Felixstowe last year; putting the Suffolk facility’s title of Britain busiest container port in jeopardy. The proposed new electric truck hub on Felixstowe’s Anzani Avenue could see up to 6MW of high-speed, open-access charging for electric HGVs and other heavy vehicles and buses. It could serve hauliers, logistics and transport firms and major infrastructure and energy projects in the region, including Sizewell C. The project which could be up and running by 2028, is being led by Maritime Transport with an initial £50,000 from Freeport East, which could increase in further phases. Steve Beel, CEO at Freeport East, said :“Decarbonising freight is one of the biggest challenges facing logistics in our region, and access to reliable and high-capacity charging infrastructure is a critical part of the solution… This facility, under the leadership of Maritime Transport, could help fill a real gap for hauliers and other operators.”
Reported shipping industry figures show that the combined ports of London Gateway and Tilbury handled 3.7 million containers last year compared to 3.6 million moving through the Port of Felixstowe. Activity at London Gateway has been boosted by the opening of a fourth berth. Meanwhile, Felixstowe faced a significant loss of business after the Asia-North Europe Gemini service, a jv between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, shifted its trade to London Gateway. According to Lloyds List, Felixstowe still ranks as the UK’s biggest container port.
Mayor tours new Cambridge R&D facility as it nears completion
The new home of pharma giant GSK’s research and development operations in the UK on Cambridge Biomedical Campus is nearing completion. Paul Bristow, mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, recently toured the site where the first building, 2000 Discovery Drive, is nearing completion and a further two interconnected buildings will be sited. The building will provide six floors of life sciences facilities, with a mix of lab and office space across 112,000 sq. ft, supporting GSK’s research in oncology, respiratory, hepatology, vaccines and HIV. Meanwhile, a semi-sunken facility will provide parking for 450 bicycles. The arrival of GSK in Cambridge will be a milestone for the campus and marks £500 million of foreign direct investment by Prologis, GSK’s development partner, into the city. Paul Bristow said: “The progress made at 2000 Discovery Drive over the last 18 months is exceptional. And now it’s expanding with both 3000 and 4000 Discovery Drive….With Cambridge South railway station now open, and the on-site CycleParc, we are together providing sustainable, and efficient ways for talent from across the region to access our groundbreaking biomedical campus.”
Photo: (l-r) Jason Longhurst, UK head of sustainable investment and partnerships at Prologis, Paul Bristow and Andrew Blevins, SVP Life Sciences at Prologis.
Council acquires former Debenhams building in Ipswich as part of regeneration drive
Ipswich Borough Council has acquired the former Debenhams building on Cornhill as part of its push to regenerate the town centre. The building, Waterloo House, has been vacant since the closure of the retailer in 2021 and was acquired with the aid of a reported £5.5 million of government funding. Cllr. Neil MacDonald, leader of the council, said: “Waterloo House is one of the most important buildings in Ipswich town centre, but for too long it has stood empty in a location that should be full of life. We have already invested in improving the public realm, bringing empty buildings back into use and supporting new businesses and attractions. Acquiring Waterloo House will now allow us to tackle one of the biggest remaining challenges in the town centre.” The favoured approach is for a developer-led design competition to identify a partner to produce a viable mixed-use redevelopment of the site. Meanwhile, construction work is set to start later this year on a scheme to ‘transform and enhance’ Lloyds Avenue, one of Ipswich town centre’s main streets.
Separately, Penn Commercial has arranged the successful letting of Grade II-listed retail premises 4 St Nicholas Street in Ipswich to Musictakeaway for use as a vinyl records and music store, on a five-year lease, for a long-standing private client. Rachael Jackson (photo, right) of Penn Commercial said: “Musictakeaway will be located immediately next to long-standing guitar retailer, Rocket Music, and will also be close to Music World on nearby Queen Street, so this type of store is the ideal complement to the existing creative offer in the area.”
Photo: Rachael Jackson (left) presents Sonia Webb-Heath of Musictakeaway with the keys to 4 St Nicholas Street.
Legal services business expands into Southend with acquisition of South Essex law firm
Regional legal services business Fisher Jones Greenwood has expanded its presence in South Essex with the acquisition of a long-established Leigh-on-Sea-based law firm, Giles Wilson. The acquisition brings Giles Wilson’s 35-strong team into FJG, which is part of Lawfront, and gives it a significant base in Southend. The acquisition also adds dedicated court of protection and vulnerable client teams to FJG’s private client team. Doug Field (photo) managing partner of FJG, said: “This is a big moment for FJG. We have serious ambitions for what a truly outstanding regional law firm can become. We now operate from the largest three cities in Essex. Giles Wilson is exactly the kind of business we want to join us: successful, respected, deeply connected to its communities and, above all, full of talented people.”
Founded in 1950, Giles Wilson became employee-owned in 2022. Melinda Giles (photo) from Giles Wilson, said: “Our firm has strong local roots and in FJG we found a firm that shares our commitment to clients, our belief in our people and our ambition for the future.” With a head office in Colchester, FJG has offices in Essex, Suffolk and central London.
New county council chief executive to be keynote speaker at Norfolk business conference
Norfolk County Council’s newly-appointed chief executive Dennis Bacon (photo, right) is be the keynote speaker at a half-day conference for business owners and senior decision-makers Life Cycle of a Norfolk Business to be held at Norwich City FC on 30 September. The conference, delivered by Rogers & Norton Solicitors with Lovewell Blake, will explore the different opportunities and challenges businesses are likely to encounter – from growth and development through to protecting the business, succession and exit. Peter Hastings, director and head of litigation at Rogers & Norton, said: “Dennis has worked with businesses of all sizes, built and sold businesses of his own and held senior leadership roles across Norfolk. He understands first-hand many of the opportunities and challenges that business owners face at different stages of their journey. We’re looking forward to hearing his perspective and welcoming businesses from across Norfolk for what should be a really useful and engaging event.” The event takes place on Wednesday 30th September at Norwich City FC, starting at 9.00am. Tickets are available to purchase via Eventbrite. See here for more details on the event.
Accountancy and business advisory firm takes on 27 new trainees
Twenty seven students have joined accountancy and business advisory firm Larking Gowen to begin their professional training. The intake includes school leavers, university graduates and placement year students who will be based across the firm’s offices in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. The new recruits will work towards professional qualifications in accountancy and taxation, alongside specialist certifications, while gaining practical experience across a diverse range of sectors and client assignments. Managing partner Julie Grimmer said: “Our profession continues to evolve rapidly, with advances in technology, data analytics and AI creating exciting opportunities for both our people and our clients. We are committed to providing a supportive training environment that combines professional development, practical experience and continuous learning, helping our students develop the skills they need for the future.”
Separately Matt Howard has rejoined Larking Gowen as a partner in the firm’s insolvency & recovery team bringing extensive experience in the sector. He joins from another top 50 accountancy practice and will be principally based in the firm’s Norwich office, but working across the whole of East Anglia.
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