The most popular stories of 2013 – the top 5
THE nature of this year’s best read stories proves the old adage that bad news sells.
Our top 10 list is dominated by business failure and if that failure involved lawyers more people were interested.
Readers were also drawn to stories of wrongdoing – and again, if lawyers were involved – everyone wanted to know about it.
The only story that didn’t conform was Sir Alex Feguson’s retirement, a major national news story that prompted TV news crews to lead their bulletins from Old Trafford as if the celebrated manager had passed away.
To create some suspense, we thought we would present the Top 10 stories over two days. Today is the top 5, numbers 10 to six were published on December 27.
1. Cobbetts up for sale as administration looms
WE broke the news that Cobbetts was set to enter administration, the second major Manchester law firm to collapse in three years following the demise of Halliwells in 2010.
2. 100 jobs go as fashion firm folds
MORE than 100 jobs were lost at a Liverpool fashion business after it went into administration. Fashion Finder (Le Monde) had a number of brands, none of them well-known, but this story attracted thousands of reads.
3. United confirms Ferguson’s retirement
MANCHESTER United confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson was to retire at the end of the 2012-13 season.
4. Blow as AstraZeneca plans to close Cheshire R&D base
PHARMACEUTICAL giant AstraZeneca announced plans to axe its longstanding Cheshire research base at Alderley Park and move 1,600 jobs.
5. Lancs solicitors struck off after misusing Legal Aid cash
TWO Lancashire solicitors, who were also members of the judiciary, were struck off for misusing legal aid cash in a prosecution brought by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
