Confidence is everything in many economic and sporting activities and Manchester has that in bundles. It shows up in every direction, from the success of the two Premier League soccer teams to the scale of new development. The city’s advantages are heavily promoted by Mayor Andy Burnham, who astutely left the House of Commons for his home city. It is the scale of the changes that matters, with Allied London’s visionary Spinningfields setting the marker for the size and quality of new development, which has been continued in St Peter’s Square. This means international companies have a choice of the sort of space they need and a flow of graduates from the local universities to fill those offices. Another part of the equation is to have a thriving technology sector, and in this the city can match anywhere in the UK (and Europe). It knows its history and has always been on the pace when it comes to science and technology. Equally as important are that surrounding areas are doing well, particularly Salford Quays, with the dynamic Media City and refurbishment of major buildings. To this has to be added a thriving Warrington with Birchwood Park at the centre of its success.