From London to Norwich | News

We spoke to Ross Olivey, co-founder of In Development – a creative and design studio working in the graphic design, branding and advertising space, about his move to Norwich.

Ross made the decision to move his business to Norwich from London in May 2021 making it a great addition to Norwich’s buzzing creative business community!

We discover what made him decide to make the move, and what him and his talented team love about working in Norwich…

“Covid definitely sped things up, but after working remotely for years, my business partner Ed Roberts-Graver and I really wanted a studio of our own and to bring our team together. With most of our clients located overseas and space in London limited, we were free to look further afield.

Norwich stood out to us as family and friends had already started to settle here and it was a short hop from the capital. A great culture, homes being more affordable and being able to walk everywhere sealed the deal.

A Southern Satellite City for Creativity

The Norwich business community is young and punchy. We’ve discovered a lot of fellow London refugees looking to establish and grow their businesses here. The community are keen to have Norwich seen as one of the great southern satellite cities for creativity and I like that. It’s got a lot of potential.

We’ve been able to give junior positions to graduates straight out of NUA and UEA. Very few people get a chance locally to work in our field so it’s great to offer that opportunity. And why not? The talent is right here.

Talent & Higher Education in Norwich

Welcome to Norwich

We started with a lovely but tiny shoebox space at Fuel Studios, but a bigger one came up so we pounced on it. It’s right in the centre of the city so pretty much everything you need is right on our doorstep.

The team at Fuel Studios here have made us feel very welcome ever since we arrived and done a lot to keep us happy and staying put. I get to walk my daughter to school every morning before strolling into work. There are not many cities that I know in the UK where you manage that.

Through a wide and friendly networking scene, I’ve discovered interesting industry-adjacent companies that operate out of this fine city too.

So I would recommend other business owners to make the move to Norwich.

This country has a major problem with centralisation. I love London and it’ll always be special to me, but it’s weird and not sustainable to endlessly pile everything into it and expect our country to thrive. If you and your business don’t absolutely need to be there, consider embracing opportunities elsewhere.

Ross’s Top Picks:

Foodie spots: Fresh on the market is my go-to for lunch. The Kimchi for killer Korean Fried Chicken. Blue’s Kitchen at The Rosebery for a burger or roast.

Coffee shops: You can’t go wrong with Blue Bear Coffee Co or any of the Strangers coffee shops.

The ideal Norwich day out: Breakfast at Olives on Elm Hill. Browsing the record stores and antique shops on St Augustines and Magdalen Street. Looses Emporium is my happy place. The Cinema City Picturehouse for a film and coffee.

Then maybe a gig at Norwich Arts Centre or The Waterfront, before heading back over the river to The Weavers Arms for dinner or a few rounds before closing time.

Are you ready to make the move?

Has Ross’ interview inspired you to relocate your business? Work in Norwich are here to help make your move to our fine city as smooth as possible.

Norwich is packed with a diverse mix of businesses from a wide range of sectors, including creative and digital industries, professional services, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental organisations. With a diverse high street and buzzing culture, retail and leisure is booming, while Norwich Research Park draws talent from across Europe. Not to mention, the city is a hub for finance and insurance too.

Check out just some of the everyday WiNs you’ll discover from working in Norwich.

Image credits: In Development Studios

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Antonia Kooks Bartels

After traveling the world and living in seven different cities across three continents, accredited coach Antonia “Kooks” Bartels finally found her place in Norwich. She now supports people through major career transitions and has found real value in the city’s warm and welcoming professional networks. Curious what drew her in? Read Antonia "Kooks" blog to see why her global journey led straight to Norwich’s doorstep