‘Referring to those cities and regions which can “anchor” income-generating activities; localized’ (Bathelt and Glückler (2003) J. Econ. Geog. 3, 117); unresponsive (Cheshire and Magrini (2008) SERC discussion paper #10). For the conditions under which some places manage to remain ‘sticky’, see Markusen (1996) Econ. Geog. 72, 3.