Observer report reinforced prejudices

If ever we wanted evidence to support the need for the In Business for Neighbourhoods campaign, Amelia Hill's recent article in The Observer is it.

"It's grim up north" stereotypes and misrepresentations made for a fascinating two-page spread reinforcing age-old prejudices, presenting associations as a "bad thing" without question and local authorities as manipulative and/or incompetent.

Though we are all used to misrepresentation, the piece is a timely reminder that if the sector's rebranding campaign is to work, we have to remember it will require us chipping away at the problem by promoting our work with a view to mutual gain. Who knows, one day we might be seen as a movement again.