Food and Health & Safety Service Plan 2023-24 - Flipbook - Page 8
2.0 Background
2.1 Pro昀椀le of the Local Authority
The pro昀椀le of East Su昀昀olk is set out in our Economic Strategy 2022 – 2027.
Located on the east coast of England, East Su昀昀olk is a diverse local economy, with both
outstanding economic assets and potential, and in some areas, continuing regeneration
challenges.
East Su昀昀olk has a population of 248,000 with 81,000 people living in the north around Lowestoft,
25,000 living in the south around Felixstowe and about 3,000-10,000 living in market towns
such as Woodbridge, Leiston, Framlingham, Saxmundham, Beccles, and Bungay, which are
distributed across the middle of the district.
Micro and small businesses are found in abundance across the area. There are over 9,500
businesses within East Su昀昀olk and the vast majority of these are small (fewer than 10
employees). In addition, there is a high incidence of self-employment, particularly in the south
of the area. Throughout, the role of micro and small businesses in sustaining the fabric of
economic life across East Su昀昀olk is critical.
Alongside micro and small businesses, 昀椀rms that have grown to at least medium size must be
acknowledged. They act as anchors for their local communities, support local supply chains
and represent opportunities for sustainable growth which can result in creation of employment
opportunities for residents. They are often local, family-owned businesses and although not
well known outside of East Su昀昀olk, within it, their role is crucial. The area also hosts important
economic assets and o昀昀ers opportunities that are amongst the most signi昀椀cant in the UK.
These include: The Port of Felixstowe - the UK’s busiest container port; Adastral Park; BT’s
Global Research and Development Headquarters; The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and
Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) - an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural A昀昀airs; The Port of Lowestoft - a key location for the o昀昀shore clean energy industry;
The East Anglia Array (including East Anglia ONE); and Sizewell (including the proposed Sizewell
C - Europe’s largest infrastructure project).
The natural capital in the district supports a very distinctive and diverse visitor economy.
This includes traditional seaside tourism, major festivals and events, attractions in market/
coastal towns, outstanding landscapes, renowned heritage assets and a growing range of
quality cultural/heritage activities. However, the economic asset represented by the visitor
economy will be compromised if the natural capital represented by the beautiful environment
is not protected while being enjoyed. Together, they demand attention and require careful
management to develop their full potential in economic terms.
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East Suffolk Food and Health & Safety Service Plan 2023/24