If anyone was in any doubt that our town and suburban retail areas face a massive challenge, the decision of Marks and Spencer to close

First, congratulations to all my colleagues, past and present, who have contributed to 15 years of success for Downtown in Business. In the run up

After years of political turbulence, the local election results seem to tell us that deadlock has been reached in the nation’s politics. The Conservatives are

Brexit I first met George Osborne on Knutsford Heath 20 years ago when he had just been selected as the Tory candidate for Tatton. Who

THE POLITICS. What will people make of the last year in politics when they cast their votes in local council elections across the North next

Last May the city regions of Manchester and Liverpool underwent the biggest change in local government since the Metro counties were abolished over thirty years

Two areas of current debate are irritating me. One is what to do about Syria, the other what to do about representing the centre ground

MERSEY CHANNEL Channel 4’s new “national base” should be in Liverpool. The city has a great cultural tradition and potential location sites that would surely

If only Jeremy Corbyn hadn’t been elected leader of the Labour Party. If only people had voted to remain. If only Donald Trump hadn’t been

THE EXIT DOOR LOOMS. For me Christmas was the turning point for those of us hoping to stop Brexit. When the European Commission pretended sufficient

Corbyn and Cable falter The decade that’s nearing its end has been one of the most exciting in British politics. The demise of New Labour,

The city regions Whether it’s the power to direct the skills agenda that would best benefit northern business or yet another report recommending northern rail