“The North will rise again,” sang The Fall’s Mark E Smith, tongue lolling in cheek. Authors, artists and boosterists have adopted the phrase with hope or anxiety. But, in many ways, it’s already happening. The enthronement of Andy Burnham and the opening of a “Number 10 North” could – and should – lead to an injection of investment, creative energy and self-esteem.
The best bits of the North of England provide a template for improving the rest, whether we’re talking outdoor spaces, community cohesion, culture, retail or hedonism.
