THE owner of an Ipswich law firm has returnedg to his roots by opening a new office in the town’s High Street, a part of town that his family has worked in for more than 150 years.

Ross Coates Solicitors remains based at the IP-City Centre in Ipswich, and also has branches in London and Kesgrave, but owner Ross Coates said he had been looking to expand the business in Ipswich for some time.

“15 High Street has been in the Coates family since the mid 1970s. My father Michael Coates had a travel agency business just opposite from 1948 to his retirement in 1988,” he said.

“When the opportunity presented itself to take over the building, I knew immediately that it was the right time to set up a new practice in the town centre.

“It is like returning to my roots, especially as the Coates family have owned businesses in Ipswich town centre since the 1850s.”

The new office, which was officially opened by Ipswich MP Ben Gummer, is headed by Amaka Jackson, a partner specialising in private client and tax planning.

The team will offer a wide range of business and personal advice, also including property, employment and family law.

“We are confident that our offer is compelling to those looking for high quality legal advice at unparalleled value,” added Mr Coates.

“This new office will help us to provide a better service to our clients, to be more accessible and visible to those needing expert legal advice in what are still difficult economic times.”

n Ben Gummer has held the first in a planned series of business lunches at which he will listen to the concerns of local firms.

The first lunch, hosted by Easilife Cleaning, focused on the need for investment in transport infrastructure around Ipswich.