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£1.5m Norfolk project to find perfect pea

Plant scientists at the Norwich Research Park are leading the quest to find the perfect pea in a £1.5m project announced today.

And the world-famous collection of about 3,500 pea varieties at the John Innes Centre, Colney, will play a key role in the investigation.

The part-government funded research project, which involves plant breeders, food industry and scientists, aims to identify tastier and higher-yielding pea varieties over the next three and a half years.

Grand ambitions at Breckland Orchard

Claire Martinsen gave up a successful career at Mars to launch a range of soft drinks - and spend more time with her family. And a year on she is a big step closer to making Breckland Orchard a million pound business. SAM WILLIAMS reports.

Prestigious award for restoration of historic Norwich bridge

The successful restoration of an 18th century bridge in Norwich has been marked with a prestigious national award.

A £50,000 refurbishment project was undertaken last year to restore the appearance of St George's Bridge and to secure its long-term future.

The bridge, which is Grade II listed, carries St George's Street over the River Wensum in the city centre.

The quality of the restoration work was recognised through a Historic Bridge and Infrastructure award from the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Turnover up at East Anglian builder

A specialist building firm in East Anglia is on course to defy the gloom over construction industry by recording a modest increase in turnover and profits this year.

King's Lynn-based Chalcroft expects to see turnover rise from £32m in the financial year to June 2009 to £34m this summer thanks to clients in the food industry deciding to refurbish or extend their premises.

Stephen Fry backs Norwich City of Culture bid

Top comedian and actor Stephen Fry has backed Norwich's bid to become the first UK City of Culture.

The television personality believes it is “high time that Norwich took its place in the limelight” and wants to see it chosen from the shortlist of four cities for the prestigious title in 2013.

Also backing the bid is Norwich Puppet Theatre, which says the benefits of success would be important to boost its own future.

Aviva announces £1.3bn profits

A slimmed down workforce helped Aviva achieve £1.3bn profits last year - after losses of £885m in 2008.

The insurer, Norwich's biggest employer, said a 19pc reduction in staff globally had helped achieve a £500m cost savings target one year early, contributing to the company's “strong” results.

Today's improved figures come despite a fall of nearly £2bn in general insurance and health premiums, down from £11.1bn in 2008 to £9.2bn last year, partly due to the sale of Aviva's Dutch Delta Lloyd health business for 1.1bn euros (£998m).

£5.5m of grant funding ring-fenced for low-carbon research and development

 

Historic move for property firm Arnolds

Arnolds Chartered Surveyors is set to move from its Norwich offices after 40 years to pave the way for continued growth.

The company will relocate from its current premises at 34 to 36 Prince of Wales Road to larger offices on the same road in May following steady expansion over the past 20 years.

Arnolds, which employs 44 at its Norwich headquarters and Eaton and Wroxham offices, took on five new members of staff in 2009, a year which also saw the firm's turnover increase by 14pc due to improving conditions across the property market.

Bhaji Man's new recipe for success

Norfolk's own Bhaji Man is hoping to curry favour with home cooks who want to create authentic Indian food in their own kitchens with a new range of spice kits.

Businessman Don Lear will this week launch four new spice kits to complement his existing range of at-home curry kits which he sells online and at various outlets across the county.

Medical firm invests in Norfolk lab

Medical manufacturer Aeropak is set for continued growth following a £300,000 investment in a new testing laboratory in Norfolk.

The company employs 45 at its plant on the Gapton Hall Industrial Estate in Great Yarmouth, producing a range of products including Bazuka verruca treatments, painkilling cream Ibugel and Adios slimming pills.