Let's Take this Opportunity with Both Hands

Granada TV Studios, the Site for the Factory Arts Centre
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There has been a lot of talk about "the Northern Powerhouse" lately.  In my article on the Northern Futures Summit in my IP Yorkshire blog I compiled a bibliography of articles that I and others have written about it. Now there is a commitment from HM Government to make it happen. On page 48 of his Autumn Statement, George Osborne, a local MP as well as Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that HMG will invest over £7 billion in transport, science and technology and the arts and leisure to create a "Northern Powerhouse".

The transport investment will include upgrading the trans-Pennine rail system which may include a high speed railway ("HS3") and improvements to the Liverpool docks and across the Pennines. Bidders for the new rail franchisees will be required to increase capacity by 20% with new rolling stock and to improve station facilities.There will be similar improvements to road and rail connections in Yorkshire and the North East.

Investments in science and technology will include a centre for materials science based at Manchester University with satellites in Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield, a Cognitive Computing Research Centre in Daresbury, a new National College for Onshore Oil and Gas in Blackpool and an Energy Security and Innovation Observing System at Thornton. The Chancellor gave details of these developments when he visited the Museum of Science and Technology on 8 Dec 2014 (see the press release "Chancellor puts science at heart of Northern Powerhouse" 8 Dec 2014).

Investments in the arts will include a Great Exhibition in the North to celebrate art, culture and design in the region, a massive new theatre and arts centre on the site of the Granada studios to be known as "The Factory Manchester" and various arts projects in all the Northern cities to commemorate the First World War. Of all the investments announced by the Government it is The Factory that has aroused most interest. On its website Manchester City Council wrote:
"The Factory Manchester will play an integral part in helping Manchester and the North of England provide a genuine cultural counterbalance to London, supporting the city and region's growth."
The Council estimates that the Factory Manchester will create 2,300 jobs and generate revenues of £134 million per year within 10 years.

This investment in communications, manufacturing, science, technology and the arts is bound to result in new businesses, designs, inventions and works of art and literature all of which will require legal protection. We shall continue to advise on the legal issues that may arise from time to time. Should anyone wish to discuss this article, the Northern Powerhouse or the Autumn Statement in general he or she should call me during office hours on 0161 850 0080 during office hours or click my contact form.

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