Comment: Positive thinking for hard times

There's been a much more workman-like lead in to Christmas this year and that is a good indication of how the market has felt throughout the year.

Partying when times are tough is always a bit tricky. No one wants to appear profligate or frivolous when people are hurting. 2012 has been a tough year but there are also plenty of people out there, working hard and making progress, who feel positive about their business.

As our review of the year shows (see news) there has been no slowdown in corporate activity, multi-million pound deals have been struck and there are more to come. The early part of next year will see the arrival of a number of new products, big investments to cope with CET and even the promise of a new optical exhibition for London. By Easter, Optrafair will be upon us and in April changes to the NHS will alter the face of primary care and open new avenues. The past 12 months have been hard but events, such as the Olympics, prove once again that when the chips are down the British deliver.