One criticism you can never make of MIPIM, the huge international property and regeneration event on the French Riviera, is a lack of optimism. Whatever the Brexit clouds scudding over the otherwise blue skies of Cannes, its 26,800 delegates (up on last year) including 6,000 from the UK (also up on 2018), 5,400 international investors and 560 mayors and other political leaders were determined to show that the sector is in rude health.

Dr Walter Boettcher, chief economist at Colliers International, told The MJ: ‘I don't think Brexit has put off a lot of investors. Many see it as short-term phenomenon. Long-term, they see the UK as a stable bet with a strong regulatory environment.'