Selling the end of the recession.

If you're going to be cynical about advertising you could say that it creates the illusion of the perfect world. Everyone in an ad is for the most part always happy and satisfied. And why not because brands always make things better, don't they.

Well some folks in recession hit England have literally brought this illusion to life. Faced with mounting store closings that have turned city high-streets into ghost towns, borough councils in an area in the North of England have decided to re-design the facades of these closed stores so that they look like open, thriving businesses. Talk about a facade.

"We need to ensure that the remaining businesses continue to survive and that means ensuring our high streets look attractive to both shoppers and potential business investors," says Judith Wallace, North Tyneside Council's deputy mayor.

And it seems to be working. Passers-by have said these store fronts are so realistic that they never realized the stores weren't real. No word yet on any angry would-be customers who tried to enter.

I've guess this would fall under the category of pop-up marketing with a twist. What's next, fake day-care centers being erected in the middle of a war zone to promote a family-friendly environment. The box has now been opened.