Campaigners aiming to avert the closure of the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant are preparing to deliver a petition to Buckingham Palace in the coming weeks, urging King Charles III to take action.
Veeraswamy, established in 1926 and located on Regent Street in London, is facing the non-renewal of its lease due to a dispute with its landlord, the Crown Estate.
Supporters of the restaurant are appealing to the King, who has promoted community connections, to help preserve it as „a living piece of shared cultural history.“ However, the Crown Estate contends that the building requires renovations that would not allow the restaurant to remain operational.
„This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly,“ stated a spokesperson for the Crown Estate regarding the lease non-renewal and the potential removal of the restaurant from its current site.
Support for Veeraswamy’s Preservation
The Crown Estate operates as an independent property company, with its profits directed to the Treasury. Veeraswamy’s efforts to remain open, even during the wartime Blitz, have garnered support through a petition that has amassed over 18,000 signatures.
Renowned chefs including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux, and Richard Corrigan have voiced their support for reconsidering the closure of the Michelin-starred establishment. „Most European cities cherish their legendary restaurants. Why would we want to lose Veeraswamy?“ Corrigan remarked.
The petition calls on King Charles to endorse the campaign to „protect a historic institution“ and save a „symbol of Indo-British cultural connections,“ as the restaurant approaches its centenary in March.
Supporters and chefs plan to present the petition at the gates of Buckingham Palace. Additionally, a centenary dinner in March, anticipated to attract celebrities and public figures, will serve as another opportunity to rally support.
Historical Significance of Veeraswamy
Lucy Haine, chair of the Soho Society, which advocates for the preservation of the area’s unique character, is supporting the initiative to keep this iconic London restaurant operational for future generations. She emphasized that closing it would represent a „major loss to London’s history and culinary heritage,“ advocating for the restaurant to be recognized as an „asset of community value.“
When Veeraswamy opened, Indian restaurants were not yet common in the UK, and it was among the pioneering establishments catering to Anglo-Indians in London who longed for the flavors of India.
Co-owner Ranjit Mathrani noted that the restaurant initially attracted generals, civil servants, and businesspeople with ties to India, as well as expatriate Indians. Notable figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were among its patrons.
Over the years, it evolved into a fashionable West End destination, frequented by social luminaries including actors Charlie Chaplin and Marlon Brando, as well as political figures like Sir Winston Churchill. More recently, visitors have included Princess Anne, David Cameron, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Future Uncertain Amid Lease Dispute
Veeraswamy has previously catered for significant Indian dignitaries at Buckingham Palace in 2008 and 2017. The restaurant also claims to be the birthplace of the popular British pairing of curry and beer, with Prince Axel of Denmark reportedly enjoying Carlsberg there in the 1920s.
Mathrani expressed that the restaurant embodies a crucial aspect of the Indian community’s history in Britain, having „broken the ice“ for subsequent generations of Indian restaurants. He shared that many customers have personal stories tied to their experiences at Veeraswamy.
While Buckingham Palace has stated that the matter lies with the Crown Estate, Mathrani remains hopeful for a resolution that would allow the restaurant to continue its legacy in its current location.
Plans for Modernization and Legal Challenges
The Crown Estate’s plans for the building, known as Victory House, a Grade II-listed structure near Piccadilly Circus, include converting the restaurant space into office accommodations and altering the entrance, which would render the restaurant inaccessible.
A spokesperson for the Crown Estate acknowledged the disappointment felt by Veeraswamy and mentioned that they have offered assistance in finding alternative premises in the West End, along with financial compensation. They emphasized the need for a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House to modernize it and maximize its utility.
As the dispute escalates, it is set to head to court later this summer unless a settlement is reached, with Veeraswamy challenging the decision not to renew its lease. This situation follows a previous unsuccessful attempt to safeguard another historic Indian dining establishment in London, the India Club, which closed in 2023 for redevelopment.
Mathrani believes there is still potential for a compromise that would allow the restaurant to remain in its long-standing location, arguing that moving it would demonstrate a lack of cultural sensitivity.
„This is where we should be,“ he asserted, emphasizing the importance of the restaurant’s historical and cultural significance.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Michael Lin auf Unsplash
