Crown Estate Says Office Space Worth More Than Veeraswamy Restaurant
Veeraswamy, London's oldest Indian restaurant, faced its landlord the Crown Estate in Central London County Court on Wednesday. A judge is expected to rule before the end of the year on plans that would force the Michelin-starred Regent Street venue out of its home of nearly a century.
The battle to save London's oldest Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy, reached Central London County Court on Wednesday, where its landlord argued that redeveloping the site would be worth far more as office space.
The Michelin-starred restaurant has occupied Victory House near Piccadilly Circus since it opened in 1926. The Crown Estate wants to reclaim the space as part of a major regeneration project on Regent Street.
What the landlord told the court
Lawyers for the Crown Estate said the scheme would turn part of the Grade II-listed building into "modern, high-class office accommodation". Mark Sefton KC, representing the landlord, said the rationale was ultimately financial.
He told the court the space the restaurant now occupies would be worth considerably more as premium office space. The Crown Estate wants to improve the building and raise the rent it can earn, he said.
Sefton added that the Crown Estate recognised Veeraswamy's historic and cultural significance. The financial case for redevelopment, he said, was "incredibly compelling".
The court heard the Crown Estate has already secured planning and listed building consent. It hopes to begin major works next spring.
The restaurant's case
Lawyers for restaurant owner MW Eat argued the plans would effectively push Veeraswamy out of its long-time home, even though the premises are in good condition. Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC told the court nobody suggested the restaurant itself needed significant redevelopment works.
He argued that the Crown Estate simply did not want the restaurant to remain inside a revamped office building.
The Crown Estate rejected that claim. It said the building's current office entrance is unsuitable for modern prime office tenants. It also said the redevelopment would require changes affecting the restaurant's access arrangements.
A century of diners
Veeraswamy is one of the oldest businesses on Regent Street. Its guests have included Princess Anne, Charlie Chaplin, Mahatma Gandhi and former prime minister David Cameron.
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling on King Charles to intervene over its lease.
Ranjit Mathrani, chairman of MW Eat, spoke after the hearing. "We fought because we want to keep the restaurant open," he said.
He said losing the restaurant would be a loss for the chefs, customers and supporters who have backed the campaign. Judge Alan Johns KC is expected to hand down a ruling before the close of the year.
"Closure would be a tragedy, not just for the loss of a major historic venue which has contributed so much to British culinary history and London and Regent Street, but also for ourselves," Mathrani said.
