Titmuss acts for French sports giant

Titmuss Sainer Dechert is acting for French sports-retailing giant Decathlon on its entry into the UK market.

Decathlon, which runs a chain of out-of-town sports stores across France, is opening stores in London's Surrey Quays and Stockport with a roll-out of stores planned nationwide.

Paul Harding, partner at Titmuss Sainer, says: "The instructions represent a success for our policy of knocking on doors.

"We are saying to the French companies that there is no need to approach the magic circle firms when you come to the UK. You can get medium-size firms with medium-size fees to do just as good a job."

The firm has hired a French lawyer based in Paris to sell Titmuss Sainer to inward investors full-time.

French companies now account for more than 5 per cent of fee income. Clients include French ladies wear specialist Etam and publisher Hachette.

"There is plenty more work out there and we are sure there is more to come," Harding says.

"French retailers in particular are realising that the UK market is a good place to invest."