EADT24 - Latest Local Business news

AN order to remove a fisherman's hut from Aldeburgh beach has been suspended while talks take place with the owner. Businessman James Fitzgerald, who runs the LEV electric bicycle company in Leiston, was issued with an order to remove his hut after he sought permission from Suffolk Coastal District Council to use it as a re-charging station for the bikes.

REGIONAL media business Archant, whose titles include the East Anglian Daily Times, has announced a fall in operating profits for 2009, against a background of challenging economic conditions and advertising revenues declining in all major categories.

A REGIONAL food celebration is taking a walk on the wild side with its culinary demonstrations this year. Robert Gooch, from the Wild Game Meat Company at Blaxhall, near Snape, and Mark Burrage of Somerleyton-based Bluebell Woods Wild Venison are holding wild game themed tutorials at Feast East, which began at Chilford Hall, near Linton, Cambridgeshire yesterday and continues today.

INSURANCE giant Aviva, which last year rebranded its Norwich Union business in the UK, yesterday reported a “significant year of progress” after weathering the recession by slashing costs and trimming nearly 11,000 roles across its workforce.

EAST Anglian infection and contamination control business Tristel yesterday announced improved first half sales and profits. Tristel, based at Snailwell, near Newmarket, reported a pre-tax profit of £656,000 for the 26 weeks to December 31, up 39.

THE Ipswich Building Society has defied the turmoil in the financial sector by recording an increased asset base and higher lending activity during 2009.

THE East of England needs more “business angels” to support the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in the region, according to a leading investor group. The British Business Angel Association estimates that the UK currently has between 4,000 and 6,000 business angels ? high net worth individuals with business experience who invest in entrepreneurial businesses seeking funds to expand.

A BUSINESS club launched 12 months ago to help local businesses grow is celebrating its first anniversary after experiencing a year of impressive growth itself.

SUFFOLK underlined its ambition to become the greenest county with the launch of a Carbon Charter yesterday. The charter, launched by Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Environment Agency and Suffolk County Council, will recognise businesses which reduce their energy consumption.

AN OFFICE centre created to provide a base for social enterprises was launched in Suffolk yesterday ? with forecasts of major growth for the so-called “third sector”.