While Rishi Sunak was fretting about the small boats last week, out in the real world the fashion giant Chanel descended on Manchester for its glitzy Métiers d'Arts fashion show – just about the time council delegates were arriving at the city's Midland Hotel for The MJ's annual 24-hour Future Forum North seminar.

The Chanel event was a triumph for both the company and the city (The MJ forum was pretty good as well). The positive worldwide publicity it generated was worth millions despite snide media comments about Manchester's weather (well it is December!) while the Chanel Manchester collection will appear in 50 countries.