All Names Taken -
I believe you have answered your own question. I quote: "Manchester is doing RELATIVELY well in hard times" [emphasis mine]. That is my message: times are tough, there is bad news out there as well as the good. I acknowledge news of all varieties, but I celebrate good news as fervently as any. I just don't consider it helpful to bury the bad news. If you read back, this line of discussion springs from some contributors' assessment that happy times are here again (see March stats posting and follow-ons). My intention is to restore balance to the discussion, and that means acknowledging the big picture. Not just the juicy bits. Nowhere do I decry the great work and commitment by the MAG team who work tirelessly to attract new business; well done them. But they work within limitations dictated by real world concerns, and if we wish to be well informed we all need to acknowledge those realities.
Rgds. SHED.