French invader meets Waterloo

It looks like French outdoor advertising giant JC Decaux could have met its Waterloo – but this time outside its own London headquarters.

Decaux’s bitter rivals, the UK billboard company More Group, has just won the contract to supply street furniture to the London borough of Hammersmith & Fulham which takes in Decaux’s base in Goldhawk Road, Shepherds Bush.

Rumour has it that one of More’s spanking new bus shelters will soon be appearing outside Decaux’s offices, replete with St George flags fluttering around the top.

But Decaux could still have the last laugh. The French company has put in a 475m hostile takeover bid for the More Group which, if successful, could see almost every UK bus shelter fall into Gallic hands.

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