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Campaigners deliver petition to Buckingham Palace
Activists presented a petition to King Charles III on Wednesday, urging him to intervene and prevent the closure of Veeraswamy, London's oldest surviving Indian restaurant, which has operated since 1926.
Historic restaurant faces eviction
Veeraswamy, located in Victory House on Regent Street, has remained in its original location since opening and served customers even during the Blitz in World War II. Co-owner Ranjit Mathrani described the potential closure as "short-sighted" and warned that a century of history could be "relegated to the dustbin."
The Crown Estate, which owns the property, stated that the decision to end the restaurant's lease was not made lightly. A spokesperson emphasized the need to refurbish the Grade II-listed building to modern standards while maximizing its use.
Owners and supporters rally for intervention
Mathrani and his wife, co-owner Namita Panjabi, criticized the Crown Estate's approach, calling it "a brick wall covered with polystyrene politeness." They urged the King to persuade the Crown Estate to engage in discussions, highlighting Veeraswamy's cultural significance as a symbol of Indo-British ties.
Panjabi noted that the restaurant had catered at Buckingham Palace twice-once in 2009 for the Indian president's visit and again in 2017 during India's 70th independence celebrations. She added that Veeraswamy, along with Hamleys and Liberty, ranks among Regent Street's oldest tenants.
"It is astonishing that we are being asked to close after all of this."
Namita Panjabi, Veeraswamy co-owner
Public and staff react to closure threat
Longtime customer Sinan Artar, who has dined at Veeraswamy for 25 years, argued that the Crown Estate should prioritize public interest over commercial redevelopment. "This place should not be turned into an office," he said. "Every time I go there, I feel at home."
Sonia Cannavo, an employee for 21 years, expressed sadness over the news but remained hopeful. "We are standing together, and hopefully the Crown Estate will keep us open," she said. "We have been here for 100 years, and it's been an honor to be a part of it."
Crown Estate defends decision
A spokesperson for the Crown Estate stated that the business was offered assistance in relocating to new West End premises, along with financial compensation. The organization emphasized its duty to manage properties for long-term value, ensuring profits benefit public spending.
Planning documents reveal that proposed renovations to Victory House would alter the entrance, making the restaurant inaccessible. The Crown Estate maintained that no alternative proposals met its obligations as stewards of the heritage site or its legal and financial responsibilities.
"With external advice, we have reviewed alternative proposals... and unfortunately there isn't an alternate scheme which meets our responsibilities."
Crown Estate spokesperson
Celebrity chefs back petition
The campaign has garnered over 20,000 signatures, including support from renowned chefs Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux, and Richard Corrigan. The petition calls on the King to "protect a historic institution" and preserve a landmark of Indo-British cultural heritage.
Veeraswamy, which earned a Michelin star in 2016, remains a fixture of London's culinary scene. Its future now hinges on whether negotiations with the Crown Estate can secure its continued presence on Regent Street.
