Funny old world. Not only has the worst financial quarter in living memory seen what’s quite probably a record for new London openings, it’s also ending with news of a number of major new ventures for the future.

Sir Terence Conran has told the Evening Standard that he plans a new restaurant (his 50th, apparently, since the Soup Kitchen in 1953) to open next summer in the Reuters building in Fleet Street. The following year, Richard Caring plans to open “three dining rooms” in St Martin’s Courtyard – a new development just yards from another Caring property, the Ivy WC2. And nearby, Jamie Oliver is planning to set up a flagship London branch of his chain, Jamie’s Italian.

London‘s major restaurateurs seem to see a bit of life in the old place yet.