Liverpool is going through a renaissance and has some landmarks in its immediate future to look forward to – its 500th birthday in 2007, and its year as European Capital of Culture in 2008. As these dates approach, developers across the region are looking at more ways to add to their expanding portfolios. In short, Liverpool will not just be the Capital of Culture. It will be – and, indeed, already is – the capital of a property boom.

Manchester has enjoyed and will continue to enjoy regeneration too. The economic growth of two such strong cities can only have benefits for neighbouring northwest towns and cities.