East Anglia Independent Business Owners - Q&A Feature

Seeing the possibilities in a derelict windmill takes imagination. Turning it into an extraordinary place to stay takes courage, ingenuity and a formidable partnership. In this week’s East Anglian Daily Times Q&A, I meet Natalie and Steve Roberts, owners of The Windmill Suffolk. From its beautiful curved rooms to its sculptural zinc roof, their transformation of the Cockfield windmill brings together striking architecture and thoughtful design, giving a historic Suffolk building a remarkable new chapter. Neither had renovated a home before. Ten years into running their business, they now welcome guests from across the globe, travelling to our county to experience the place they worked so hard to create. We talk about taking that leap, working together and why supporting fellow independent businesses matters so much. #calltoaction For many years, I’ve written my weekly Q&A as a volunteer, championing local businesses and the remarkable people who make our region what it is. Sharing stories like Natalie and Steve’s is at the heart of why I do it. Each year brings 52 opportunities to tell a different story, with a front cover and four pages in the Saturday Weekend magazine of the East Anglian Daily Times or Eastern Daily Press. As I put together my Q&A calendar for 2027, I’d like to hear from people across Suffolk, Norfolk and East Anglia with interesting experiences, ideas or achievements to share. Perhaps you’ve built a business, taken an unexpected path, overcome a challenge or made a difference to others. Please, do send me a direct message with a little about yourself and your story, for consideration for a future Q&A. Thank you… #eadt #edp