Could credit giant be coming to town?

A MAJOR credit card company rumoured to be interested in opening offices in Ipswich today refused to rule out the possibility of moving to Suffolk.

Credit giant Capital One, which has 50 million customers worldwide, refused to comment on increasing speculation that it is considering opening at Wherstead, at the site E.ON is soon to vacate.

It has been reported that Capital One and two other firms are among the potential candidates to sponsor Ipswich Town next season, adding fuel to the rumours.

Worldwide language firm Linguarama, owned by Blues owner Marcus Evans, and an insurance firm are also said to be in the hunt.

A Capital One spokesman said: “It's our policy to never comment on rumours of any kind.”

Paul Clement, executive director of Ipswich Central, the town centre Business Improvement District company, said if Capital One came it would be a chance for former E.ON staff to gain new employment.

“I would hope that the Wherstead building is occupied as soon as possible.

“And if it meant a new name coming to Ipswich that is even better.

“Capital One would be good news - if it happens.”

Capital One already sponsors Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.

It has about four million customers in Britain and is one of the country's biggest providers of credit cards.

The company employs more than 2,000 people in this county and has won industry awards for its products and services, as well as for its community work.

However, last month Capital One was fined £175,000 by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) over its payment protection insurance sales.

The FSA said the firm had failed to provide full information to customers about policy exclusions after it sold 50,000 policies between January 2005 and April 2006. Capital One has since changed its sales practices.

Would you welcome the presence of Capital One in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk