Ikea out, devolution in Lancs?
Was it the shock of IKEA pulling out of a major investment in the Cuerden Retail Park near Preston, that has banged Lancashire heads together?
Why Mayors need More Powers
If you live in the north of England and you rely on the train to get from A to B, then the past few weeks
Liverpool outpacing Manchester growth?
After my last two blogs on the Greater Manchester economy which took a bullish view of the conurbation’s growth; it is time to look at
Manchester safe from retail turmoil?
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
What I have Learned in Fifteen Years in Business
Last week we had a fantastic celebration of Downtown’s fifteenth year in business. Apart from enjoying a fabulous party at the amazing DoubleTree by Hilton
Football – A Business that has no Customer Care policy
We are increasingly told by the ‘experts’ who report on the beautiful game of football that it is, in modern times, more of a business
Manchester, a young city
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
The International Business Festival: Come and Join In
On the 12th June, a three-week Business jamboree will kick-off at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool. It is the biggest business event that will take
Political Stalemate
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
Osborne: I was right about Brexit impact
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 PM is a goner
Any political commentator with an ounce of sense will be reluctant to give a categoric assurance as to how the local election results are going
It’s only a game – or is it?
Accrington Stanley, who are they? Well, the well-established East Lancashire football club have just won promotion to the third tier of English football for the