Dry-cleaning scam targets restaurants

Restaurants across the country are still being targeted by a dry-cleaning scam exposed by Caterer last week.

Outlets from Wales, North Yorkshire and Gloucestershire have this week emerged as the latest targets of the swindle.

Bruce Elsworth, chef-patron of the Angel Inn at Hetton, North Yorkshire, said he had received an identical letter and dry cleaning bill to the one received by Leicestershire restaurateur Sarah Poli, featured in Caterer last week.

Other targets were Simon Newcombe, chef and owner of the 80-seat Chandlery restaurant in Newport, South Wales, and Brian Jarvis, of the Thornbury Castle hotel in Thornbury, Gloucestershire.

All three received a faxed dry cleaning bill for £17.99 from a customer claiming his suit had been stained after a drink was spilt over it.

The headed letter gives the name of a Liverpool company, Unicorn Trading.

No one was available at Unicorn Trading for comment.