By Stephen Adams Published: 11:53AM GMT 05 March 2010
The North Northamptonshire Development Corporation is about to enter upon on a �1.28 million promotion debate to capture people and businesses from the collateral area.
The thought has worked before. After all, airports do it all the time: theres London Stansted, London Luton and right away theres even London Oxford.
Lets enthuse the subsequent era of scientists Small steps: how Edwyn Collins learnt to pull again The Great Purge has proposed in the Conservative Party Fifty good days out in the UK US ubiquitous says Pakistan could be only dual weeks from fallThe last is 60 miles from the collateral so what could an additional thirty matter?
After decades perplexing to reconstruct the cracked economy of Corby and the surrounding area, that has never indeed recovered given the towns steelworks was sealed in 1980, rebranding the locale might have seemed a good idea.
But the suits charged with revamping the area have maybe not factored in to their equation something that majority locals cruise to be similarly as critical as commercial operation investment: pride.
"North Londonshire does the place down," pronounced former steelworker Ivan Robb, settling down to a lunchtime pint in the Viking Club, situated in a lifeless 1970s housing estate on the hinterland of Corby.
Despite the actuality he lost his pursuit when the plant shut, Mr Robb, who was lived in Corby majority of his life, thought it could do some-more than see south for inspiration.
"We should have some-more honour in the place than that. There are no similarities in between here and London. None at all," he stressed.
"When I worked there I hated it completely. It is a soulless and antipathetic place."
Barman Craig ODonnell, at twenty-four as well immature to have seen firsthand the obliteration of towns industrial might, agreed.
He was so angry at the debate that he has sealed up to a Facebook group, called Northamptonshire is NOT North Londonshire.
It had 1,100 members by Thursday afternoon and flourishing fast.
"Its a bit of an insult," he said. "Why should you have to rename somewhere to get someone to live there?"
Even if he concluded with the concept, he doubted it would work.
"Its a rubbish of money. Its pointless," he said.
Not everybody in the club, or the county, share their point of view.
Ray Alderton a 77-year-old Cockney who changed up in 1965 for a shift of pace, thought the aphorism was "a good thought … even if theres a bit of amusement about it".
"If you get even a medium-sized association come to Northamptonshire, they will beget some-more than �1.3 million in months," he argued.
Simon Evans, arch senior manager of NNDC, certified that the familiar aphorism was predominantly directed at gaining broadside for the area.
"The North Londonshire tagline is obviously going to kindle recognition of the area and prominence how well-located and continuous the business, housing and camp offers are," he said.
The area is pulling tough to reinvent itself. Corby has a code new hire that not often resembles an airfield depot charity hourly trains in to St Pancras that take 1hr 10 mins.
The calendar indicates that past is still battling present, however, with no newcomer sight at 10.15am since a burden sight passes through.
"Thats being sorted out though," pronounced Marion Pickering, a South African who runs the stations solitary coffee shop.
"I think this rebranding is a shining idea. Corby used to be the riffraff of the Midlands," she announced. "Anything to do with London is positive."
But those in the desirable nation locale of Oundle, nestled in a flattering stream hollow 10 miles to the east, thought Northamptonshire should not sell itself short.
Sandy Miles, 45, changed out of London with her father Mike a decade ago.
"We gathering by one day and fell in love with it," pronounced Mrs Miles, who runs MileStones Florist in the locale centre.
"I wouldnt hit London, the good for people of a sure age with the theatres and nightlife.
"But Northamptonshire is utterly different. Its the nation hold up here, the dream."
Martin Trendall, 63, who runs the towns butchers, added: "Every county has got the own identity. This place is a dark gem.
"Calling Northamptonshire North Londonshire does it down tremendously."
His 28-year-old co-worker Ryan Francis, put it some-more succinctly.
"London can keep the high residence prices and cost of living," he said.
