S-E is bearing brunt of crunch

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A staggering 1545 companies in and around the capital were put on the "critical list" by recovery specialist Begbies Traynor in the first three months of the year. That was nearly five times more than the 316 in the first quarter last year.

The list includes firms with county court judgments worth £5000 or more against them, with many also facing winding up petitions.

Begbies Traynor chairman Ric Traynor today said: "The combination of adverse economic conditions and tightening credit availability has clearly had a major impact on companies in the first quarter of 2008 and in particular London and the South-East has been hit the hardest. This trend is expected to continue.

"Clearly the credit crunch is beginning to bite and the decreasing availability of credit is being felt by the most fragile companies seeking to extend credit lines and refinance."