Our hugely imbalanced economy is down to much more than the north-south divide

Broader, deeper inconsistencies have been exposed by coronavirus, writes Chris Blackhurst

Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, London, an area of booming economic activity (Getty)

This week I met a friend in the countryside. We were socially distanced. Our pre-arranged rendezvous was at a beauty spot, where we knew there was a café and a car park. We sat outside, at one of the benches, trying to not let the rain get us down. We would have liked tea or coffee except the café was closed. We wished to spend money, but could not.

There were lots of people around. They too, I guess, would have happily bought drinks and snacks. Where was the gumption to erect a gazebo, marquee, or some sort of shelter that would have accommodated us all, served us, and stayed within the new rules?

What was noticeable was just how shut and slow, and empty, everywhere felt. The villages, and the high street in the nearest small town, were deserted, but in the cities and larger towns, the bustle is returning, branches of Pret a Manger, Starbucks and the more go-ahead operators are open again. Away in the sticks, you could not buy a hot drink anywhere.