On the surface, the three counties appear to be going through a slow recovery phase without any great momentum.
However, a more careful examination reveals that a number of significant events are shaping the long term economic picture for all three counties. In each case it evolves around a number of key developments.
For example, the prospects for Croydon appear to have soared with so many major schemes planned that will completely transform the rather tired urban scene there. Here we are seeing tall buildings and quality in both residential and commercial space. The scale is substantial and can only be compared with major cities, although it is larger than many of the main regional centres.
In Sussex, there is clearly a desire to developmore in Brighton but here the government policy on forcing conversion from commercial to residential use is proving a hindrance (and will be all over the country).
The jewels in Kent are the business and science parks.
Discovery Park is more than beating its expectations and is providing a blueprint for the whole country. There is also a good chance that the new Betteshanger Sustainable Parks will complement Discovery Park and provide a hot spot of growth in East Kent.
Equally significant is that Berkeley is developing the Royal Wells Park in Tunbridge Wells and that such a sizeable law firm as Cripps is moving into it. Once again Berkeley shows that there is no need to build on greenfield sites, as so many house builders do, but that brownfield areas offer good opportunities.