Bunhill: Asset strip

STILL on art, my attention is drawn to the sale by Christie's of half a dozen modern British paintings. They include a fine John Piper, estimated at pounds 8,000 to pounds 12,000. The seller is none other than ICI. Until recently the paintings adorned the walls of Crimple House, the old ICI fibres headquarters at Harrogate and source of the brand name Crimplene. The building is empty, destined to become a hospice. 'Nowadays, all these things are regarded as assets,' said a sad Crimple caretaker about the pictures. 'Want to buy a building?'