Well to be honest and cruel, it might make more sense to let some of the cities of the north disappear,mjust like the villages of the west Durham coalfield. There is probably a threshold at which cities become self-sustaining for a hinterland. In the past there would be a geographical distance to sustain a town, subject to local agricultural productivity, (In most cases about 10 miles).
So with coal, steel, shipbuilding, wool and cotton industries now long gone, what is the optimum population for these areas? House prices are already cheap so presumably there is not as shortage of housing? Local economies need jobs, but what are the options for the smaller towns of the north? Leeds and Manchester and Newcastle can sustain regional centres with administrative employment. There will be no levelling up for the likes of Burnley, Blackburn, Hartlepool, Bury, etc. unless work becomes truly home based – and even then unsustainable.
It is basic geographical economics. Every shop or entertainment industry outlet requires a threshold population (or a significant idiocentricity). There is nothing wrong with a town having a thriving centre with local shops and cafes, but it will not sustain a university, hospital, shopping centre, orchestra, without large amounts of money coming in. Places like Derby and Sunderland have their car factories, but most places will have to make do with B&Q! Those with communications may prosper, but many will continue to falter. Old poor housing and infrastructure will mean that ultimately these areas are destined to continue to struggle. The economics of Amazon shopping will further dent the economics of these towns and cities.
But enough gloom and doom. These towns and cities, maybe just the towns?! can become ideal places to live for quality of life. Diversified shopping centres with small outlets, a lovely environment, easy access might produce a QOL that makes some of these areas attractive in the long term. But are unlikely to produce opportunities for high income jobs and opportunities.
Cities like London will continue to attract the ambitious and the young. But it will also continue to support large numbers of the poor (Johnson – please note). It will need support through the post-Covid period but will continue to basically thrive. Moving things like BBC 5 Live to Manchester, and Ch4 to Leeds is ok, and these cities can continue to thrive, but more peripheral areas will not benefit.
In he wake of Covid cities will need to do what they have always done best, reinvent themselves. City centres will become, possibly, better places to visit? Is there a dichotomy between multinational cafes and local ones.
Is this me in dreamland? Would it not be great for small towns all over the country to support shops and industries that are sustainable and provide enjoyable lives. Me – Idealistic? OK Guilty. But the thousands of ex-mill workers are going to do what? manufacturing has long gone down the path now being travelled by retail. shops. Bigger and run by MNC’s. There might be some opportunities but likely t be far and few between.
And then we have African countries bulging with young people and ideas, raw materials in lots. Will they finally take their place in the world. They have already jumped the landline revolution – will they be a step ahead with future technologies.