Historic restaurant loved by Princess Anne faces crunch court showdown with Crown Estate

The Crown Estate maintains that it cannot undertake the necessary renovation work while the restaurant remains in operation

Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant is set to face the Crown Estate in a central London county court later this month, as a bitter dispute over its future reaches a critical juncture.

The five-day hearing, commencing on June 29, will determine whether Veeraswamy can remain at its Victory House premises near Piccadilly Circus, where it has operated for a century.

MW Eat, the company that owns the Michelin-starred establishment, is fighting an eviction attempt after the Crown Estate declined to extend its tenancy.

The legal battle has been ongoing for more than 12 months, with the restaurant continuing to trade while proceedings remain unresolved.

The restaurant has attracted a distinguished clientele over the decades, with Princess Anne, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton and King Abdullah of Jordan among those who have dined there

 | GETTY

The outcome will settle whether the landmark venue can maintain its presence on Regent Street, which it has called home since 1926.

Veeraswamy ranks among Regent Street’s longest-standing tenants, alongside Hamleys and Café Royal.

The restaurant has attracted a distinguished clientele over the decades, with Princess Anne, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton and King Abdullah of Jordan among those who have dined there.

Its annual lease, valued at £205,000, lapsed last summer when the Crown Estate opted against renewal.

The five-day hearing, commencing on June 29, will determine whether Veeraswamy can remain at its Victory House premises near Piccadilly Circus, where it has operated for a century

 | GETTY

The upper floors of Victory House have stood vacant since late 2023, following basement flooding that rendered the office space unusable.

Veeraswamy itself escaped damage from the incident, as it operates on a separate power supply to the offices above.

Despite the expired tenancy, the restaurant has remained open throughout the legal proceedings.

The Crown Estate maintains it cannot undertake the necessary renovation work while the restaurant remains in operation.

Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant is set to face the Crown Estate in a central London county court later this month

 | GETTY

Central to the landlord’s 12-month refurbishment scheme is demolishing the wall dividing Veeraswamy’s entrance from the office lobby, creating an expanded reception that would enable “materially” higher rents from commercial tenants.

Such alterations would eliminate the restaurant’s access.

“This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly,” a Crown Estate spokesman told the Times. “We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House to both bring it up to modern standards, and into full use.”

The landlord has offered assistance in locating alternative West End premises within its property portfolio, alongside financial compensation.

Veeraswamy proposed sharing the enlarged entrance and matching whatever rental income the Crown Estate anticipated from new office occupants, but this was rejected.

Manita Panjabi and Ranjit Mathrani deliver a 20,000-signature petition to Buckingham Palace in London, requesting King Charles III’s intervention over plans by The Crown Estate to close Veeraswamy restaurant on Regent Street, which has been in operation for 100 years

 | PA

Ranjit Mathrani, the 83-year-old co-owner of MW Eat, has labelled the Crown Estate’s claims “disingenuous” in a witness statement submitted ahead of the hearing.

He insisted that experienced contractors could complete the refurbishment programme while accommodating the restaurant, describing this as “a standard part of many similar refurbishments in London and elsewhere in the UK”.

Mr Mathrani said he remained open to relocating but had not been shown any suitable alternatives matching Veeraswamy’s requirements.

MW Eat estimates moving costs at approximately £5million, accounting for fitting out new premises and lost trade during any closure period, with the Crown Estate’s compensation offer covering only “a fraction of these costs”.

“The court process is being misused by the defendant to orchestrate a straight tenant swap, effectively exchanging us and our business, for a different and preferred tenant operation in our space,” Mr Mathrani stated.

CRE: https://www.gbnews.com/royal/historic-restaurant-princess-anne-crown-estate-battle