Harnessing the economic power of the northern cities to rebalance the UK economy is the overarching aim behind the Northern Powerhouse. In Estates Gazette’s first supplement dedicated to the concept, we take a look at the substance and politics behind the rhetoric. We’ve also drawn up a list of the ‘super powers’ steering the agenda together with those who are quietly pressing the accelerator in the background.
And talking of accelerators, connectivity across the North is a key component of the powerhouse’s success, and not just roads and rail. There is a shopping list of infrastructure projects, including HS2 and HS3, but limited funds, so inevitably there will be winners and losers.
Moving forward is important, but so is retaining a sense of the past. One thing northern cities have in abundance are interesting older buildings that are finding new life due to their appeal for creative and tech businesses – a growing part of the economy. There is innovation in new build too with new schemes that firmly highlight the continuing ambitions of the North.
