Bang goes the Big Bang

As news of Truck's demise filtered through, so was another local institution winding down. Top-notch bangers 'n' mash restaurant the Big Bang - the subject of a feature in the long-neglected Reasons To Be Cheerful Part II series - sadly closed its doors on 30th August after seven years of delivering delicious sausagey goodness.

No, the Big Bang hasn't fallen victim to the economic Big Crunch - but it has been squeezed out by rising leasing costs. Is it any wonder there's more than a hint of bitterness in founder Max Mason's references to "this darned costly town" and to the fact that his business is one of five "forced to close down in order to make way for major chains"? Here's hoping his prophecy doesn't come true and the chains on Little Clarendon Street don't spill out onto Walton Street and start colonising Jericho proper...