So Burnley has weathered the recent economic storm better than most places in the UK.
Data collated between 2008 and 2012 reveals Burnley featured in the top 10 “cities” for private sector jobs growth.
A staggering 1,600 additional private sector jobs were created between 2010 1nd 2011 at three times the national average.
On the flip side, the Centre for Cities report reveals Burnley has the slowest growing population in the country and there remains a chronic shortage of good housing stock. By and large the report, paints a bright picture, but there is no room for complacency.