Glorious weather, a summer of sporting success and now the arrival of the royal baby will provide a welcome boost to traders in Suffolk and Essex, business leaders in the region said last night.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Lions celebrate their win in AustraliaThe Lions celebrate their win in Australia (Image: PA Wire)

They believe the feel-good factor brought about by events in the last few months will contribute to a surge in spending on high streets, as people look to celebrate the country’s successes.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Duke and Duchess of CambridgeThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (Image: Archant)

Dr Peter Funnell, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce president, said: “When people feel good they are more willing to make decisions and to spend that little bit extra.

“Having gone through a global recession and the worst aspects of that, we have seen through last year’s Olympics, the Jubilee and, more recently, with the good weather, the sporting successes and the royal baby, we are creating opportunities to celebrate and to feel good and in a sense, to bounce back from very difficult economic times.”

Paul Clement, chief executive of Ipswich Central, said: “What a difference good weather and good news makes to the way in which we view our lives and many of us are prepared to spend more when we feel good about things.

“Hopefully businesses are going to see a positive boost but it will be some time before we know that for sure.”

The birth of the royal baby is the latest in a string of happy occasions so far this summer, which already includes the Lions win in Australia, Chris Froome’s Tour De France triumph and the England cricket team’s strong performance in the first two Ashes tests.

Denise Rossiter, chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce believes the sporting success and the royal baby has put the country back on the world map, which will benefit people and businesses in Essex.

She added: “What it is doing for local businesses is phenomenal and internationally it is raising awareness.”

David Burch, director of policy at the chambers, said: “I am sure there will be a knock on effect, particularly with the nice weather, encouraging people to go out and spend more.

“The nice weather is good news. People feel things are a bit more positive so they are going out and enjoying themselves.”

The weather has also played its part over the last few weeks, as temperatures reached more than 30C (86F) which will also have boosted the region’s tourism industry.

Keith Brown, CEO of Visit East Anglia, said: “Tourist businesses in Suffolk experienced some poor trading weeks at the beginning of the year so this hot weather could make up what was lost earlier. Overall, feedback from businesses indicates that over the full season, business should see a modest growth.”