What is now clear is that Manchester has moved into a different, and more global, role which has been boosted by the expanded media coverage following the BBC expansion at Salford Quay.
While many critics in the south of the UK doubted the wisdom of sending departments north, or even the viability of the Northern Powerhouse concept, it is paying off in terms of economic performance.
The take-up figures for Manchester have reached new heights and the breadth of new occupiers has continued to grow, with the notable arrival of companies opening their first offices either outside London or in the UK.
What is clear is that Manchester has a well-oiled machine to persuade companies to locate in the city and a large property business that can provide the space, including the sort of new buildings that companies want. The city has also kept pace with the provision of serviced offices, one of the UK’s growth sectors.
Of great significance for the north-west is that Liverpool has responded to the investment of the past few decades and now provides a healthy economic scene with an improved office market and progress of the major development projects such as Liverpool Waters. Job creation is good and unemployment low.
We need the wholehearted support of the UK government and institutions for the Northern Powerhouse which offers a real opportunity to rebalance the economy without causing damage to the dynamic of London.