London's most historic Indian restaurant is embroiled in a fierce legal battle for its survival, casting a shadow over its upcoming centenary celebrations.
A Century of History Under Threat
The Veeraswamy Restaurant, which first opened its doors in 1926 within Victory House just off Regent Street, is confronting an uncertain future. Its landlord, The Crown Estate, has unveiled proposals to transform the building into a grand office complex. This move directly threatens the restaurant's existence as it prepares to mark its 100th anniversary next year.
Having traded for 99 years, Veeraswamy boasts an illustrious history, having hosted a glittering array of guests from Charlie Chaplin and Mahatma Gandhi to Princess Anne and King Abdullah of Jordan. It holds the distinguished title of being one of the longest-serving tenants on the prestigious Regent Street, surpassed only by Hamleys toy store and the Hotel Cafe Royal.
Celebrity Chefs and Legal Action
In a significant show of support, some of Britain's most renowned culinary figures have joined the fight to save the establishment. Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr, and Michael Caines are among the signatories of an open letter, reported by The Times, urging The Crown Estate to engage in a meaningful debate.
The chefs have called upon the estate, which owns much of Regent Street and is ultimately the property of the King, to act responsibly. They described the potential conversion of the restaurant's space into offices as a sacrilege and a profound loss for London's dining and tourism sectors. Their letter powerfully states that heritage cannot be relocated nor history replaced.
The restaurant's chairman, 82-year-old Ranjit Mathrani of MW Eat, which manages Veeraswamy, expressed his astonishment at the plans. He revealed that just a year prior, he was asked if he wished to expand within the building. Mr Mathrani claims his attempts to compromise with the landlords have been met with an uncompromising refusal to alter their design, which involves knocking down a wall separating the restaurant's entrance to create a large office reception.
Financial Stakes and Future Prospects
Currently, the restaurant pays approximately £205,000 in annual rent to The Crown Estate. Mr Mathrani has stated his willingness to match the rental fees expected from the new office tenants once renovations are complete. Despite the ongoing conversion of the upper storeys of Victory House into offices, which began in 2023, Veeraswamy has continued operating as it draws from a separate power supply.
A pivotal court hearing is scheduled for next spring or early summer. A successful outcome for Veeraswamy could secure its lease for an additional 14 years. The restaurant intends to continue serving customers at its historic location until the hearing takes place.
In its defence, The Crown Estate told The Daily Mail that a comprehensive refurbishment is necessary to bring the building up to modern standards and ensure its full use. They stated that they understand the challenge for MW Eat and have offered to assist in finding new premises within their portfolio, as well as providing financial compensation.
