Skip to main contentEnter
Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Local Net Zero Hubs get £6.8m to support GB Energy

News
Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

The government has announced a £6.8 million funding boost for Local Net Zero Hubs in England to support Great British Energy with local clean power projects.

Why it matters: The initiative aims to develop local clean power projects that align with the government's Clean Power 2030 ambition, with direct benefits for Suffolk organisations, including East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Norfolk And Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.

Solar panels installed by Insight Energy
Solar panels installed by Insight EnergyCharlie AlexanderFarlie Photography

The details: A new Memorandum of Understanding will task the Hubs with assisting GB Energy, the new publicly owned energy company, to identify and develop clean energy projects.

The Local Net Zero Hubs will continue to focus on:

  • Attracting commercial investment into low-carbon projects

  • Increasing the number, quality, and scale of local net zero projects

  • Supporting a national knowledge transfer programme

What they're saying: Maxine Narburgh, Regional Director of the Greater South East Net Zero Hub, said: "The work of the Local Net Zero Hubs complements the mission of GB Energy, providing opportunities to deliver a local place-based pipeline of clean energy projects.

"The additional funding from the government and alignment with GB Energy is a real vote of confidence in the essential work carried out by the Local Net Zero Hubs."

By the numbers: The announcement is part of a wider clean energy package that includes:

  • £5 million for a new Great British Energy Community Fund (previously the Community Energy Fund)

  • £10 million for a Mayoral Renewables Fund

  • Funding for rooftop solar installations in 200 schools and 200 hospitals

The bottom line: Public sector organisations and community groups in Suffolk needing support with net zero projects can contact the Greater South East Net Zero Hub at info@gsenetzerohub.org.uk, with details about the next funding round to be published soon.

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Today's supporter

Ellisons Solicitors

Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest-growing firms.

Visit website

Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

News
Ellisons Solicitors

Ellisons Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Providing businesses and the people of Ipswich with trusted legal advice

Load next article