In an inspiring initiative aimed at amplifying youth voices in East Suffolk, students from Alde Valley Academy have joined the Sizewell C Youth Council to provide critical insights for the nuclear power project. Ranging from Years 7 to 11, the students will meet regularly with Sizewell C’s joint managing director, Julia Pyke, along with other project leaders, to discuss local needs, aspirations, and updates on the project’s progress. This youth council provides a unique opportunity for young people to share their perspectives on a major infrastructure project that will affect their community for years to come.

Julia Pyke, Sizewell C’s joint managing director, underscored the importance of including youth voices in the decision-making process, noting that feedback for large infrastructure projects is often skewed towards older demographics. “We’re really keen to keep talking to young people as we develop Sizewell C,” she stated, highlighting the project’s commitment to fostering a generationally inclusive approach.

The students recently had the chance to meet with the project team and experience a tour of Wild Aldhurst, Sizewell C’s designated nature reserve. This immersive visit provided the students with a close look at the project's environmental commitments alongside its infrastructural goals.

Rosie, a Year 11 student and youth council member, voiced her enthusiasm: “I think it’s really important to give young people a voice.” The engagement of these students signifies a meaningful step for Sizewell C, which is expected to bring thousands of jobs, apprenticeships, and training opportunities to the East Suffolk area.

Dan Mayhew, director of community and partnerships at Kingfisher Schools Trust, commended the collaboration, saying, “The collaboration between the school council and the Sizewell C senior team gives young people a unique opportunity to have their views heard and to have an input into the project.”

As Sizewell C moves forward, the insights provided by these young students will play a valuable role in shaping the project to better align with the future they envision for East Suffolk. This engagement sets a positive precedent for youth-involved planning in local infrastructure projects, making them true stakeholders in their community's development.

Greene King has officially opened its new state-of-the-art distribution centre at Suffolk Park, Bury St Edmunds, continuing its long-standing relationship with the town. The centre has been named "St Edmunds" in honor of St Edmund the Martyr, reflecting the brewer’s deep-rooted heritage in the area.

First announced in 2022, the decision to build a new facility was driven by Greene King’s continued growth and the need for a larger, more modern distribution centre. The St Edmunds Distribution Centre, located near the A14, covers 160,000 square feet, almost twice the size of its previous warehouse facility on Cullum Road. This expansion offers more than double the storage capacity, providing Greene King with room to grow and better serve its customers’ evolving demands.

The business park location was developed by Jaynic, and the new facility is a key part of Greene King’s future plans. According to the company, careful consideration is being given to the future use of the former distribution centre.

This latest development comes on the heels of Greene King’s recent submission of a planning application to West Suffolk Council for a £40 million new brewery, also in Bury St Edmunds. The project, part of the company’s ongoing investment in its hometown, aims to continue the brewer’s legacy in Bury, where it has operated since 1799.

Matt Starbuck, managing director of brewing and brands at Greene King, said: “We’re thrilled to announce that the St Edmunds Distribution Centre is now officially open and fully operational. This marks two years of hard work and dedication from our team, and we’d like to thank everyone who contributed to bringing this project to life."

“This multi-million-pound investment underscores our commitment to Bury St Edmunds, where Greene King is proud to be a major Suffolk business with deep ties to the community. The new centre will strengthen our logistics network, enabling us to meet customer needs in a rapidly changing market, and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”

With the St Edmunds Distribution Centre now up and running, Greene King is poised to support its expanding operations and future growth, while continuing to contribute to the local economy and celebrate its rich heritage.

Renowned chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White has launched an eagerly anticipated autumn menu at his Steakhouse Bar and Grill, located in Felixstowe's Hotel Coco. The restaurant, which opened its doors this summer alongside the Queen’s Head Pub, is set to offer a rotating menu every quarter, featuring seasonal dishes crafted under the direct guidance of White.

The autumn menu, which exemplifies White’s commitment to using fresh, seasonal ingredients, includes an array of enticing starters and mains. Among the "Seasonal Specials" starters are the rich and savory Balmoral Game Pie, the creamy Baked Camembert, a velvety Butternut Squash Velouté, and the classic Moules Marinière. These are followed by a selection of mains designed to showcase the depth of autumnal flavors, including Roast Cod with Lentils & Pancetta, Pan Fried Venison, and Wheeler’s Fish Pie—a nod to the classic British comfort food with a gourmet twist.

General manager Andrew Vales expressed his enthusiasm about the new menu, describing it as one of their best seasonal offerings to date. “It’s always exciting to launch a new seasonal menu, and this one is right up there as being one of the best yet,” Vales said. He emphasized the authenticity of the dishes, noting that the menu is "100 percent Marco Pierre White." White’s personal involvement in the creation of the menu is evident, as he collaborates closely with the restaurant’s executive head chef, Jason Everett, to perfect each dish. “He spends days with our executive head chef, Jason Everett, going through dish ideas and cooking them to see if they work, so it’s as close as anyone will get to having your meal cooked by the great man himself,” Vales added.

The menu also features the "1961 Prix Fixe" option, named after the year of White's birth. This special offering includes a choice of starters like Beetroot & Goat’s Cheese Salad, Classic Moules Marinière, and Butternut Squash Velouté, followed by mains such as Butcher’s Steak, Pea & Shallot Mini Ravioli, and Roasted Pork Loin Steak—all for the exceptional price of £19.61. This deal is designed to offer customers a taste of White’s culinary expertise at an accessible price point, making it a popular choice for lunch dates and casual dinners.

In addition to the seasonal dishes, the restaurant continues to serve a selection of its classic steaks and signature dishes, ensuring that there is something for everyone. The combination of traditional British fare with a modern, gourmet twist has already made the Steakhouse Bar and Grill a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

With its prime location on Orwell Road in Felixstowe and the allure of dining on dishes personally crafted by one of the UK’s most famous chefs, the Steakhouse Bar and Grill at Hotel Coco is quickly becoming a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts in Suffolk. As the seasons change, patrons can look forward to more innovative and delicious menus that reflect the best of what each season has to offer, all under the masterful guidance of Marco Pierre White.

The Offshore Wind Growth Partnership (OWGP) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at bolstering the UK's offshore wind sector. The Manufacturing Facility Support Programme (MFSP), which launched this week, offers £2 million in funding to support UK businesses in building or expanding manufacturing facilities critical to the offshore wind industry.

The MFSP is designed to unlock significant investments in UK manufacturing, enhancing the nation’s capacity to produce key components, equipment, and systems required by the rapidly growing offshore wind sector. With the Stage 1 application window open until Friday, September 20, the programme seeks to catalyse early-stage investment by providing matched funding of up to £500,000. This funding will help accelerate and de-risk pre-investment development activities that are essential to securing capital for new or expanded facilities.

Facilities that align with the priority areas and UK manufacturing opportunities outlined in the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan—commissioned by the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), RenewableUK, The Crown Estate, and Crown Estate Scotland—will be eligible for funding.

Iain Sinclair, Executive Director at Global Energy Group and Non-Executive Director for OWGP, highlighted the programme’s importance. “This new programme will provide highly-focused support to innovative UK-based manufacturing companies with the necessary resources to develop new or additional production capacity geared towards providing locally-produced equipment and systems,” Sinclair said.

He emphasized that developing these resources is crucial to accelerating the deployment of offshore wind in the UK, helping the nation achieve its ambitious target of 60GW by 2030. “The MFSP programme further advances our mission to improve productivity, increase business competitiveness, boost innovation, and support a globally competitive offshore wind supply chain in the UK,” Sinclair added.

The MFSP funding will be awarded through a competitive grant process. Successful proposals will need to demonstrate a robust long-term business plan, including detailed investment strategies, market share forecasts, revenue projections, profitability, employment growth, and export potential.

This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind manufacturing, ensuring the sector’s continued growth and sustainability.

Sizewell C, a key nuclear energy project in the UK, has secured a major logistics facility by leasing Orwell Logistics Park, located on the A14 just outside Ipswich. This new facility, covering nearly 1.1 million square feet across 60 acres, will house the project's Freight Management Facility, which is essential for managing and coordinating deliveries to the construction site.

The strategic location of Orwell Logistics Park, situated between Ipswich and the Port of Felixstowe, provides convenient access to one of the UK’s largest deepwater ports, which handles nearly 50% of the country’s containerized trade. The lease agreement includes two already completed units, along with plans to pre-let the remaining units and open storage areas.

This development marks a significant milestone for Sizewell C as it gears up for peak construction over the next five years. Nigel Cann, joint managing director of Sizewell C, emphasized that the park will play a crucial role in managing logistics while minimizing disruption to local communities.

Gareth Purcell, managing partner at BGO, the owner of the site, welcomed Sizewell C to the logistics park, expressing excitement about supporting the supply chain for such an important national energy project.

Mark Ashton will continue to work as CEO, but in addition he will also become the chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club after Mike O'Leary's retirement. O’Leary has served the club since the takeover by Gamechanger 20 Ltd in April 2021, and he mentioned extensive travel required in this position and him being almost seventy two years of age.

Looking back on his time at the helm, O’Leary said that he is proud of many accomplishments achieved by their club including a quick promotion to Premier League which was a “mission accomplished” for him. For Ipswich Town it means that a vital period under O’Leary’s guidance is over.

He thanked Mike for his support and friendship during this period Ed Schwartz, who owns most of shares in this company has also commended O'Leary for his commitment and immense services rendered to it.

With Ashton holding both positions, Ipswich Town will be guided through its next stage.

A sprawling 1.17 million square foot warehouse for a garden and homeware retailer has officially started its initial phase of operations in Suffolk.

The Range’s distribution centre, located at Gateway 14 in Stowmarket, commenced operations on Sunday, July 7, with the arrival of its first shipment from Asian manufacturers. This new facility has generated over 1,000 full-time permanent jobs and includes 28,750 square feet of office space.

Ian Lucas, General Manager, shared his enthusiasm: “It’s amazing to be finally operational. The site is state-of-the-art, incorporating advanced technology and environmental features. We’re thrilled to recruit locally from Stowmarket, which benefits the town and community.”

Lucas noted that certain areas, such as a canteen and a gym, are still under construction and are expected to open in the coming weeks.

Part of the larger Gateway 14 development owned by Mid Suffolk District Council, the site features parking for over 200 trucks and 800 cars. Following its acquisition of Wilko.com earlier this year, The Range will also distribute Wilko merchandise from this facility.

Gateway 14 is set for further growth, with £18 million in funding secured in May for a skills and innovation centre aimed at supporting businesses, creating jobs, and boosting the local economy. Additionally, Mid Suffolk District Council recently announced a £1.5 million fund to enhance Stowmarket town centre, made possible through the council’s investment in Gateway 14.

For more information on Gateway 14 click here.

The Sizewell C Community Fund is introduced by the Suffolk Community Foundation, calling on charitable organizations plus not-for-profits in East Suffolk to be beneficiaries of part of £23 million that will be distributed. The motive behind this initiative is the local communities affected by the construction of the nuclear power station at Sizewell C.

Key Points:

• Funding Allocation: An approximate £2 million shall be shared every year for a period of 10 years.

• Eligibility: The projects should be aimed at improving the welfare of the people living in the East Suffolk Council area. In particular, they should boost the economic and social aspects as well as quality of life for the residents.

Statements:
• Julia Pyke, Joint Managing Director of Sizewell C spoke about the long-term benefits for local communities and stressed that the fund is part of Sizewell C project's legacy.
• Melanie Craig, Chief Executive of Suffolk Community Foundation, was excited at the prospect that the fund would be able to help those who need it most— saying that charities are receiving less central funding despite rising demands— and noted how important this particular fund is because it can provide assistance despite high demand levels due to low availability of resources from other sectors.
• Additional Information: To learn more about this, such as what makes you eligible and how you can apply, please visit the Sizewell C Community Fund page on the Suffolk Community Foundation website.
These local projects being able to access funding through this program present a considerable chance— it promotes the development of the community and its members’ welfare in the area.

Trebor and Hillwood have completed a major industrial development, Access @ Eastern Gateway Ipswich. The project offers units ranging from 12,897 to 52,491 sq ft and is now ready for occupancy. This development enhances Ipswich’s commercial landscape, reinforcing the Eastern Gateway commercial park as the premier industrial and logistics hub in the area. Built by Magrock Ltd, the units meet high sustainability standards, including BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification. Marketing for the new units is handled by Lambert Smith Hampton and Savills.