A particularly scaremongering piece in today's Evening Standard, predicting the closure of "hundreds" of London restaurants in the New Year as the economic downturn continues to bite.
While there is no doubt restaurateurs are concerned about the next few months, it seems a bit doom and gloom to ever-optimistic Kitchen Rat.
The piece brings us "news" such as the Smollensky's outlets on the Strand and in Canary Wharf being placed up for sale by owner Grill Group.
In reality, sources close to the company tell us, they have never been placed for sale as such but if an offer comes in it will be considered. As Caterersearch reported on 30 June in fact.
Ed's Easy Diner is also "up for sale", according to the Standard, but as readers of The Times on 5 October will be able to tell you, the chain's owner is considering its options, including outside investment.
Caterersearch brought you exclusive stories of the sale of the Smollensky's in Hammersmith and Charing Cross, on 3 October, and chef Malcolm John taking over the lease of the Smollensky's in south Croydon, on 7 October.
So if up-to-date, exclusive and accurate news is what you're after you know what to do. For everything else, there's Mastercard (oh, and other "news" sites).
Update: 15 Oct. The Standard has pulled the article from its website. One expects this is after the angry reaction from Ed's Diner
Further to the Evening Standard Article of 14.10.2008 referred to above:
Statement from Tim Bennett, Ed's Diners Operations Director
"All of the Ed's team were extremely shocked to have read the article in today's (14/10/2008) Evening Standard, which implies that the business is in some sort of financial difficulty as a result of the economic downturn. I would like to reassure our many customers that the business is in good shape and trading better than ever.
The article implies that Ed's is up for sale because trade is suffering - this is incredibly inaccurate. We are keen to secure investment in the brand with a view to potentially open more sites.
Our hard working staff have had a very busy year this year - if you ask them they will tell you Ed's have had one of their busiest years ever.
Two items in the evening Standard article are misleading. Firstly the photograph of an empty Ed's on Old Compton Street - if you look at the recently cleaned pavement, you can see the photo was obviously taken in the morning before we opened. Secondly, that we refused to comment? We were not given the opportunity to comment, in the reporter's words they couldn't contact anyone at our Head Office, so we didn't refuse, we weren't given chance to.
Please be reassured, Ed's is doing well thanks to our hard-working staff and our very loyal customers, during this difficult economic climate."
Thanks for your feedback Tim. We had a feeling the Standard was scaremongering a little.
Having queued up at the Ed's in Soho very recently, one can testify that the business doesn't seem to be in the doldrums.
Note that the Standard has now removed the offending article...
KR