Chef Heston Blumenthal has written to Louise Smith, chief executive of Companies House, calling on the register to protect restaurant businesses from fraud.

The news comes after fake listings that appeared on the Companies House register under the names of existing businesses, in particular well-known restaurants.

Many of these listings are registered with the same correspondence address, exposing restaurant operators to fraudulent activity.

Blumenthal wrote to Smyth asking for greater transparency on the handling of fraudulent listings, with his business being one of those targeted.

A company listed under the name ‘Dinner by Heston Blumenthall’ uses the same address as the chef’s Dinner by Heston restaurant in Knightsbridge.

Blumenthal said: “”The process for removing fake companies has to be sped up and made easier. We need greater transparency from Companies House and a clear timeline. In some cases, it is being reported it can take up to 18 months to rectify.

“Checks by Companies House on the identity of people registering companies would reduce the risk of frauds and be a major help for restaurants and other businesses facing up to problems with fraudsters.

“The protection of our brands is absolutely paramount to our customers, our partners and our teams who excel every day in our kitchens and restaurants. We will not allow fraudsters to deceive unsuspecting patrons or partners and risk the legacy which we have collectively built with hard work, dedication, innovation, and a grain of eccentricity.”

Companies House has launched an investigation following claims that 750 fake listings have appeared on the register in the six weeks to 9 February 2024.

A Companies House spokesperson said: “From this spring, we will have greater powers to query and remove fraudulent information from the companies register and will prioritise cases where addresses have been used without consent.

“We plan to do more checks – including on company names – to determine the accuracy of information which is delivered before it is placed on the register.

“In the longer term we will be requiring company directors and people who file information to verify their identity to ensure they are who they say they are.

“These changes will enable us to crack down on the use of false addresses and other misuse of the register.”