Given the problems of pandemic and shutting down of a large part of the economy, the performance of the south coast has been exceptional.
It is easy to say, with hindsight, that the recovery could be expected but the pace and extent of the bounce back is surely greater than even the optimists could have expected.
What it says is that the region has considerable resilience and a wellbalanced economy. Central to this must be the quality of the transport system and the amount of technology companies.
It meant that the region could cope with the hit brought by the collapse of the cruise liner market and the setback to international trade, in both directions, and its impact on the ports of the region, particularly Southampton.
The flow of positive information from the Dorset LEP is a firm guide to the vitality of the region with its host of intelligent initiatives, mainly funded by the government with its various schemes.
As we have seen for a number of years the industrial sector in the region has been the most dynamic due, as much as anything, to changing consumer patterns that favour logistics development. However there have also been improvements in manufacturing and while the condition of the city and town centres is one of concern, there is some positive action here.
An example of this is Bournemouth with the refurbishment of the former Bobby’s department store and the emphasis on the regeneration through art facilities.