BUSINESS BULLETIN

All the latest business news from around the coastal region …

NEARLY NEW IS THE WAY FORWARD …

MAGICAL RIVER CRUISES …

Last month the Orwell Lady delivered the replica of Cardinal Wolsey’s hat to launch the fabulous Wolsey 550 exhibition at The Hold in Ipswich. We caught up with Emma Lightfoot of this family business to find out more about the much-loved Orwell Lady and asked her about its proudest moment.

“Without sounding a bit obvious”, she says, “it’s sharing the experience with people who have lived in Ipswich, sometimes Suffolk, and never been on the river before. Each day is different whether that is down to what we see, who we see (sometimes a seal!) or the impact of the weather and light conditions. People rarely get off without saying something very positive”!

And her most memorable moment?

“We had returned from a trip out when the Olympic torch came into Ipswich. We let the passengers stay on board and they had a close-up view”! Emma says the Orwell Lady has hosted some famous passengers in her time. “Each year we work with Felixstowe Book Festival and host a literary event”, she says. “In 2022 we had Sir Terry Waite and in 2023 we had Louis de Bernières (who wrote Captain Corelli’s Mandolin amongst other books), next year we will have BBC Radio 4’s Robin Ince”.

She says the plan is to offer sightseeing trips, “and keep the price as low as we can to help people step out of the daily grind and relax. We will also continue to offer a few catered trips – such as English Afternoon Teas and Sunday Buffet Lunches and we are also looking at trips for photography enthusiasts. It really is a beautiful river.” l Book your trip at, orwelllady.co.uk l Motorpoint Ipswich, West End Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DZ.

After successfully opening in Ipswich, its 20th store in the UK, Motorpoint is inviting customers to discover its everyday unbeatable prices on a vast and fabulous fleet of nearly new vehicles. According to the country’s leading retailer, there are myriad reasons to invest in a nearly new vehicle. We all know that buying a brand-new car means you wipe 50-60% off the value the second you drive it away from a showroom forecourt. However, buying a nearly new Motorpoint car or van, which is usually under four years old with less than 30,000 miles on the clock, means you still get all the perks of the latest technology, performance and safety features, but you’re likely to need fewer parts replacing compared to an older car, and insurance premiums can be lower too. Motorpoint assures every vehicle sold has undergone a rigorous inspection to make sure it’s up to scratch, looking its best and is mechanically sound. Being nearly new, many are still under manufacturer’s warranty, but if not, Motorpoint provides a free three-month warranty.

Now is a great time to consider selling your used car, as most drivers will find they have equity in their vehicles. The Ipswich team offer expert advice in a friendly atmosphere – you can even sell your car to Motorpoint too. Pop in and see them!

Visit, motorpoint.co.uk/ipswich

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY, MAGNUS PR!

2023 has been an incredible year for business owner and entrepreneur Ann-Marie Doggett.

From themed party cruises along the River Waveney, and a Fawlty Towers Dining Show to Lowestoft’s first Cuban-themed event and more.

Ann-Marie owns Magnus PR, a multi award-winning marketing, events and promotions agency based in Oulton Broad.

September marks the firm’s fifth anniversary, and Ann-Marie has a special event planned, with an RnB Cruise with DJ Ironik. She says, “I’m obsessed with 80s music, but I’m also a huge fan of RnB and hip hop, so I thought why not create an RnB Cruise”?

l Check it out at magnuspresents.co.uk