Skip to main contentEnter
Attwells logo

Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Local business leader Steve Flory to chair Ipswich Central

News
Attwells logo

Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Lifelong Ipswich resident and Hudson Group boss Steve Flory has been named as the new chair of Ipswich Central, pledging to transform the town centre into a "safer, more welcoming place."

Why it matters: The appointment brings four decades of commercial experience to the town's Business Improvement District (BID), which represents around 400 businesses in the town and works to help create a more vibrant, prosperous Ipswich for everyone.

The big picture: Flory takes the helm at a crucial time for Ipswich town centre, succeeding Terry Baxter who steps down after 10 years as chair.

Steve Flory
Lifelong Ipswich resident and Hudson Group boss Steve Flory has been named as the new chair of Ipswich CentralAll About Ipswich

What's new:

  • Flory will take over from 1 January 2025

  • He brings over 40 years of private sector leadership experience

  • The role oversees Ipswich's Business Improvement District (BID)

  • Outgoing chair Baxter will become chief executive at Inspire and chair of Suffolk New College

In his words: "I don't believe in standing on the sidelines," says Flory. "Together, we can make Ipswich a safer, more welcoming place where people enjoy spending time. My goal is to bring the town back to the happier, vibrant place it deserves to be — for the benefit of businesses, residents, and visitors alike."

Support from leadership: Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central, praised the appointment: "Steve's passion for Ipswich and its business community is clear, and his leadership will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our efforts for the benefit of the town."

Experience that counts: As managing director of Hudson Group and a lifelong resident, Flory brings both commercial expertise and deep local knowledge to the role.

The bottom line: The appointment signals a new chapter for Ipswich town centre, with local business leader Flory promising hands-on leadership and a fresh push to reinvigorate the area.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

Today's supporter

Attwells Solicitors

An award-winning local law firm. Attwells is rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors and holds an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Speak with us

Farage more trusted than Starmer in East of England, latest poll finds

News
Attwells logo

Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is more trusted to represent the UK internationally than PM Keir Starmer among East of England voters, new polling reveals.

Why it matters: The findings highlight a significant decline in trust for the main party leaders in the region less than a year after the general election.

The poll, conducted by communications agency PLMR and Electoral Calculus, shows Farage ranked highest among named leaders at 19% in the East of England, ahead of Sir Keir Starmer (13%), Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch (6%) and Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey (5%).

Nigel Farage
Nigel FarageAlamy

The bigger picture: One in three voters (33%) in the region responded "none of the above" when asked which political figure they would trust most, suggesting a broader decline in overall trust in UK political leaders.

By the numbers: The same poll indicates Reform UK would become the largest party in the region if an election were held tomorrow:

  • Reform: 21 seats

  • Conservatives: 10 seats

  • Labour: 4 seats

  • Liberal Democrats: 2 seats

  • Greens: 1 seat

In contrast: Nationally, Farage and Starmer are tied at 16% among those who named a preference, highlighting a more polarised national picture, with the Reform UK leader building more trust with voters in the East of England specifically.

What they're saying: "This polling highlights a significant decline in trust for the two main party leaders among East of England voters when it comes to representing the UK on the international stage," said Tim Miller , Managing Director of PLMR Genesis , the East of England branch of PLMR.

Reform and Nigel Farage have seemingly been able to capitalise on this and it's now translating into voting intentions, with the Party set to overtake Labour and the Conservatives in the region with the largest number of seats – a seismic political shift.

Between the lines: The poll suggests Reform would make strong gains across the region, potentially taking seats from both major parties:

  • Suffolk: Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket from Labour

  • Essex: Braintree from the Conservatives and Thurrock from Labour

  • Cambridgeshire: North East from the Conservatives and North West from Labour

  • Norfolk: North West from the Conservatives and South West from Labour

Tim Miller on a backdrop of Ipswich from above and political party colour overlays
Tim Miller of PLMR GenesisOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

The national outlook: The survey of 5,180 adults showed Reform securing 25% of the vote share nationally, compared to 23% each for Labour and the Conservatives. This would translate to 227 seats for Reform, 180 for Labour and 130 for the Conservatives.

The bottom line: "If Labour wants to keep Reform at bay, hold onto the gains they made in the East of England and remain in government in four year's time, the Party needs to focus on getting their message across more clearly to voters and instil confidence in their domestic agenda," Miller concluded.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Load next article