The oldest Indian restaurant in the United Kingdom is planning to take legal action against the Crown Estate to preserve its location on Regent Street in London. Veeraswamy, established in Victory House near Piccadilly Circus since 1926, faces eviction as the Crown Estate declined to extend its lease of £205,000 per year. The renowned Michelin-starred restaurant has a rich history of serving prominent figures such as Winston Churchill, Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, and Queen Elizabeth II.
The Crown Estate intends to revamp the office space on the upper floors of the building, left vacant since a basement flood in 2023. The proposed refurbishment, as indicated in planning applications to Westminster City Council, includes merging Veeraswamy’s ground-floor entrance with the office entrance to create a larger reception area for office occupants. This modification aims to significantly raise rental rates for prospective tenants, according to The Caterer.
Ranjit Mathrani, co-owner of MW Eat, the parent company of Veeraswamy, expressed dissatisfaction with the Crown Estate’s lack of cooperation in discussions. He mentioned being open to a temporary closure to facilitate the renovation process. Mathrani criticized the estate for its refusal to engage constructively and labeled their conduct as irresponsible.
Despite Veeraswamy’s proposal to share the expanded entrance and match the suggested rent increase, the Crown Estate rejected the offer. A spokesperson for the Crown Estate emphasized the necessity of modernizing Victory House and maximizing its utility. They offered assistance in finding new premises within their property portfolio and financial compensation to enable the restaurant to remain in the West End.
The Crown Estate justified its decision based on the obligation to enhance the long-term value of its properties and contribute to the UK Government’s public spending. After evaluating various proposals, including those from MW Eat, the estate concluded that no alternative scheme aligned with their duties as custodians of the heritage-listed building and their financial obligations.
