n the aftermath of the IRA bombing of Manchester city centre, few would have envisaged a renaissance on the scale we have witnessed in recent years.
It is soundly based with, at the heart, an efficient virtually apolitical administration in the town hall that hungers for a world class city. That is being achieved because the new developments have enlarged the city’s business core and brought in thousands of residents.
To this should be added the growing Metrolink light rail that is the most extensive in the UK and, of course, the UK’s third busiest airport. That is giving Manchester international reach through regular flights to other continents, notably Asia and North America.
It is all of a piece. The Chinese invest in Airport City and the airport does a promotional roadshow in China.
So more investment follows.
The city has always been smart about using its two football teams, City and United to promote its economic interests internationally.
Now the need is for the development of industrial property where there is such a shortage it will inevitably put a constraint on economic growth.
Perhaps there is also the need for more office schemes in the region as well.
What is impressive is that the buoyant market is so well spread between Warrington, south Manchester, Salford Quays and the city centre. At the moment that market appears on course for another good performance in 2015.