17-04-2025
Veeraswamy: UK's oldest curry house could close over lease row
The UK's oldest curry house, which reaches its centenary next year, is at risk of closure over a lease on London's Regent Street, Michelin-starred Veeraswamy has seen the likes of Marlon Brando, Audrey Hepburn, Ghandi and the Prince of Wales walk through its doors - which are now the subject of dispute with its owners, the Crown issue involves an 11 sq m (120 sq ft) space at the entrance of Victory House, where the Indian restaurant occupies four floors, according to its Crown Estate said it needed to remove the restaurant's entrance as it had limited options available on how it could carry out a "comprehensive refurbishment" of Victory House.
Royal beer tradition
The restaurant's co-owner Ranjit Mathrani said: "This is a unique and legendary institution, one of very few examples of a restaurant being in the same location for such a long period of time."Veeraswamy was created in Victory House on the same day the late queen was born, on 21 April 1926. It is also believed to be the birth place of the tradition of having a beer with Indian food, started by Prince Axel of Denmark who used to dine there in the 1920s. Mr Mathrani added: "It's more than just a restaurant, it is a living institution and part of the British love for India."The restaurant's lease comes to an end in Mathrani said he was "astonished" when in June 2024, the Crown approached him to say the lease would not be renewed because the previous year they had asked if he wanted to take more space in the said he turned down the offer as he was not convinced the restaurant needed the extra space."The situation came like a bolt out of the blue," he added.
Mr Mathrani said they took immediate legal action, due to it being a protected tenancy. He said they had the right to ask for a lease renewal for 14 years unless the landlord needed the property for its own use or if refurbishment works would be so damaging to the trade of tenant they would have to move out. He added a court hearing was expected to be held around March to June 2026, and that the restaurant would remain open until at least then."If we lose the court case, we hope to have time to move and find another space." A spokesperson for The Crown Estate said it had a "duty to generate value for the nation, while acting as responsible stewards for this historic part of London". "This includes a major upgrade to the offices and improving the entrance to make it more accessible. "We appreciate this is upsetting for Veeraswamy and have offered to help find new premises elsewhere on our portfolio having explored other options to accommodate their needs. "Veeraswamy has been a valued part of Regent Street for many years. We thank them and their customers for their contributions to the West End."
Mr Mathrani said they had gone to the Crown Estate with various proposals for an alternative solution, which had so far been rejected. "I think they have come to the view that we are a bit of a nuisance, which is why they want us to go."He added a petition was going to be launched due to "overwhelming" support they had received. "Veeraswamy brings heritage, variety and depth to Regent Street. There are cultural, historical and gastronomic reasons to keep Veeraswamy where it is."We sincerely hope the Crown Estate will come to recognise that we play a significant role and add lustre to their portfolio."I think it's very important London continues to have this institution and we will be distraught to not see it here," Mr Mathrani added.
