It’s “Succession”. I love it. John Whitaker is an extraordinary, pugilistic, dapper man, more in the tradition of Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick, Vanderbilt, Morgan, and the robber barons of the American Gilded Age, than Bloxham, Heatley and successive social media self opinion trawlers of our narcissistic age.
Transparency to Whitaker is a glass dome in the ceiling of his own devising. He never played by the rules because he never picked up the playbook. No cosmetic chancellorships, awards or honours for him. No public postures. He’s a bullish, uncompromising businessman for whom all things go right, because he makes them. Until they don’t.
John Whitaker does not take to Twitter, by any other name. Son James recklessly took to the waters of the Manchester Sip Canal in 2008, when he swam a length (36 miles) of the family’s murky swimming pool, largely to prove he could survive the experience. God knows, he wouldn’t have got beyond Barton Dock in the 1950s.
Peel is business, no ifs, buts, greenwash or regeneration flim flam. I’m pretty sure there is a cupboard high in the superstructure of Trafford Centre just bulging with skeletons. I think Molly, Joshi and The Mill were ushered well clear of it. The Whitakers, Whitworth and Peel front of house do little to baffle us with weasel words and self-promoting good intentions. Until now.
Maybe there is trouble brewing in the tower on Holcombe Hill. Maybe we are heading to the Peel, season 4 all time series finale. But I’m certain John Whitaker will not be sitting in the Isle of Man composing his final tweet.
'Not in difficulties' What a shame. As evident in Castlefield, once they can't squeeze any more money out of a development, they lose interest and either don't or delay maintenance. As I'm sure your sister paper the (Liverpool) Post has reported, their development of Liverpool Waters contributed to the city losing its World Heritage status with UNESCO.
A big part of the reason for Peel’s horrendous reputation is their unwillingness to take any responsibility for their buildings or even engage in a positive way.
It’s “Succession”. I love it. John Whitaker is an extraordinary, pugilistic, dapper man, more in the tradition of Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick, Vanderbilt, Morgan, and the robber barons of the American Gilded Age, than Bloxham, Heatley and successive social media self opinion trawlers of our narcissistic age.
Transparency to Whitaker is a glass dome in the ceiling of his own devising. He never played by the rules because he never picked up the playbook. No cosmetic chancellorships, awards or honours for him. No public postures. He’s a bullish, uncompromising businessman for whom all things go right, because he makes them. Until they don’t.
John Whitaker does not take to Twitter, by any other name. Son James recklessly took to the waters of the Manchester Sip Canal in 2008, when he swam a length (36 miles) of the family’s murky swimming pool, largely to prove he could survive the experience. God knows, he wouldn’t have got beyond Barton Dock in the 1950s.
Peel is business, no ifs, buts, greenwash or regeneration flim flam. I’m pretty sure there is a cupboard high in the superstructure of Trafford Centre just bulging with skeletons. I think Molly, Joshi and The Mill were ushered well clear of it. The Whitakers, Whitworth and Peel front of house do little to baffle us with weasel words and self-promoting good intentions. Until now.
Maybe there is trouble brewing in the tower on Holcombe Hill. Maybe we are heading to the Peel, season 4 all time series finale. But I’m certain John Whitaker will not be sitting in the Isle of Man composing his final tweet.
Well done on getting access to Whitworth. Good to see both sides putting their cards on the table.
Thanks Tony!
Great article about Peel.
Thanks very much Jim
'Not in difficulties' What a shame. As evident in Castlefield, once they can't squeeze any more money out of a development, they lose interest and either don't or delay maintenance. As I'm sure your sister paper the (Liverpool) Post has reported, their development of Liverpool Waters contributed to the city losing its World Heritage status with UNESCO.
Yes! My colleague Jack Walton covered some of it here - some interesting insights https://www.livpost.co.uk/p/liverpool-needs-unesco-like-a-fish
A big part of the reason for Peel’s horrendous reputation is their unwillingness to take any responsibility for their buildings or even engage in a positive way.
What happened to Whitaker’s son, once rumoured as being groomed for taking over ?
Good question - we're hoping we'll find out...