The owners of the House of India restaurant have branded as ?malicious gossip? false rumours that the popular north Hamilton eatery is set to close down. In an aggressively worded advert in yesterday?s , restaurateurs Geri Rodrigues-Uppal and Ashok Uppal lashed out at ?those with nothing better to do? than engage in irresponsible rumour-mongering ? which they suspect is part of a targeted campaign by one of more competitor to undermine their business.

?Someone or some company is sending out malicious gossip about us closing and selling up,? Mrs. Rodrigues-Uppal wrote in an e-mail to .

?We have been receiving frantic calls from quite a lot of our customers; my husband also received a call from the Bermuda Sun so I felt it was necessary to put minds at rest and hopefully stem the gossip.?

Mrs. Rodrigues-Uppal was not willing or unable to comment on exactly who she suspects of starting the rumours, saying only that she remains determined to improve on the restaurant?s ?established? reputation for good food and fair prices.

?We know who we are and have worked long and hard for our reputation,? she wrote.

?This year we are celebrating our tenth anniversary and with the help of our hard-working staff and our faithful customers, we hope to be here for another decade.?