To Coyne A Phrase

Gone in a flash

I THINK Stoke-on-Trent has run an exemplary campaign to try and reverse the decision to locate the northern hub of high-speed rail project HS2 in Crewe.

It has set out the advantages of choosing Stoke instead, detailing the huge economic boost it would provide to the area.

For what it’s worth, I think the campaigners are right.

Unfortunately, HS2 boss Sir David Higgins doesn’t and he reiterated his support for the Crewe option on Monday.

A final decision will be made by the Government next year with Stoke hoping it will ignore Sir David’s recommendations. This has to be seen as an extremely unlikely prospect.

But Stoke-on-Trent City Council Labour leader Mohammed Pervez, who points out the Stoke route would generate about £200m extra growth for the regional economy, said he still hoped the authority could influence the Government to choose the city.

It is estimated that £500,000 has already been spent on pushing Stoke’s HS2 case and to carry on with the campaign now despite no support from the Government-appointed man who leads the project would seem to be throwing good money after bad.

I can understand the city’s MPs carrying on pressing the city’s case in the corridors of power but, as far as the city council and the local LEP are concerned, it is surely time to draw a line under the affair and move on.

Just don’t say it’s part of Birmingham!

IT may not feel like it when I’m on my way to work at silly o’clock but apparently a home in Solihull could be the key to a long and happy life, according to new research.

Solihull topped the best place to live poll in a quality of life index carried out by uSwitch and quoted by Persimmon Homes (which is building houses in the area). 

The research measured 24 different factors ranging from life expectancy, salaries and disposable income to broadband speeds and essential household costs like fuel bills and food. 

It highlighted that the town benefited from above average broadband speeds and lower insurance premiums and life expectancy in Solihull is 81 for men and 84 for women.

Of course what has gone unsaid is that health and longevity is closely linked to wealth and Solihull isn’t short of a bob or two.

As a Solihull resident, but not a Silhillian by birth, I would say that what the town lacks in culture and character it makes up for in facilities and connections.

And of course everyone is quite fit because it uses up a lot of energy to keep up with the Joneses!

Rustle up a brand

TALKING of Solihull, presumably it’s going to be built into the thinking of Marketing Birmingham which has been commissioned by The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a regional branding strategy.

Sensibly Marketing Birmingham has passed this £150,000 hot potato of a commission onto London-based place marketing specialist Heavenly which has been appointed to lead on the consultation work.

It’s all very well coming up with a brand for a city but extremely hard to sum up a city region with its various component parts all competing to get a look in.

Personally I’d ignore the unworkable brief and just work on a decent tag line for the Second City.

Here’s three ideas: 

In the spirit of New York being known as The Big Apple:  Birmingham – The Big Balti.

Or playing on the city’s location: Birmingham – Central to your thinking.

Or its recent TV notoriety – Birmingham – Benefit from being here.

Unfortunately the best tag line is already being used by a well-known blog: Birmingham – It’s Not S**t.

Have a great weekend.