When the glossy brochures arrived outlining the scale of the investment that Manchester’s transport authorities were hoping to unlock, in return for a congestion charging scheme at peak times, the map in the centre of the brochure made Greater Manchester’s public transport system look like the London underground map.
Michael Taylor meets Sir Howard Bernstein, the chief executive of Manchester City Council, and the man staking his reputation on the congestion charge plan.
“It’s the worst retail environment I’ve ever known but people would be brave to write off JJB. This is a business with incredible potential, but I have never seen a retail business with so many non-performing stores as when we took it over. We always said this is a long-term play.” So Chris Ronnie, chief executive of JJB Sports has said.
