High-profile chefs join campaign to save Veeraswamy

A group of high-profile chefs have given their backing to the campaign to save Veeraswamy after the Crown Estate refused to enter negotiations to extend the restaurant’s lease.

The Michelin-starred restaurant has welcomed guests on London’s Regent Street since 1926 but its landlords are seeking to reclaim the site and convert Veeraswamy into offices as part of refurbishment plans for Victory House.

Now chefs including Richard Corrigan, Michel Roux, Phil Howard and Raymond Blanc have lent their weight to the campaign to save London’s oldest Indian restaurant from closure.

Corrigan said: “Most European cities cherish their legendary restaurants. Why in the name of God would we want to loose Veeraswamy.”

Blanc added: “We must save Veeraswamy. You can’t eradicate 100 years of history for ten square metres.”

Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi, co-owners of Veeraswamy parent company MW Eat – which last week was sold to Canadian financial firm Fairfax – told The Caterer that the Crown Estate had refused to enter negotiations to allow the restaurant to continue trading. 

The pair, who said that the sale of the business would make no difference to the campaign, have made a number of suggestions to allow structural changes to the building to be made around the restaurant while it continues to operate, but said they had not been entertained by Crown Estate representatives, who cited health and safety concerns.

Mathrani and Panjabi said: "We are completely humbled, honoured and very grateful that so many high profile chefs and key people in our industry have supported the campaign to ‘Save Veeraswamy’.  

“The passion and determination that everyone taking part has shown to keep this iconic restaurant and piece of British history alive, has given us even more fervour to ensure this restaurant stays open and thriving for future generations.

“The oldest Indian restaurant in the UK is a key part of London’s and Britain’s history and heritage – other countries & governments around the globe would honour it – not close it down.”

The pair also thanked those who had signed a petition to save Veerasawamy, which currently includes over 17,000 signatories.

A Crown Estate spokesperson said: “The Crown Estate has a duty to generate value for the nation, while acting as responsible stewards for this historic part of London. We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House. This includes a major upgrade to the offices and improving the entrance to make it more accessible. Due to the limited options available in this listed building we need to remove the entrance to the restaurant, which means we will not be able to offer Veeraswamy an extension when their lease expires.

"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.”