City Spy: Strutt & Parker back in BNP Paribas's sights, say MIPIM gossips

M&A gossip from La Croisette as rumours resurfaced that BNP Paribas Real Estate is making a swoop on London office specialist and upmarket estate agent Strutt & Parker.

Chatter has had Strutt considering selling all or part of the business to BNP before. But property agents at Mipim suggest talks have advanced.

The goss comes days after it emerged that Strutt & Parker had advised on the UK’s biggest office rent deal — £190 per square foot in St James’s Square.

It’s a no comment from both sides. Watch this space.

Turn down that din! Spy was startled to find an, ahem, eclectic playlist blaring out at the Mipim property conference in Cannes.

Pop music mogul and Warrington resident Pete Waterman, there to promote the benefits of HS2 and The Norf, had compiled a playlist for the event.

Northerners must be feeling chipper as the list featured Rick Astley’s hopeful Never Gonna Give you Up, and the upbeat Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake.

Spy can’t but think Justin Trousersnake’s Cry Me A River would better reflect the mood of the London attendees, as they looked concerned about saying au revoir to the EU.

Over to Hounslow council’s stand at Mipim and guests were able to try out a flight simulator chair to get a feel for what it’s like to be a pilot at Heathrow.