Britain's oldest Indian restaurant appeals to King Charles to intervene to save it from closure

"If you believe in preserving culinary heritage, if you care about London's cultural soul, or if you've ever experienced the magic of a meal at Veeraswamy please stop this closure, says Ranjit Mathrani, joint owner of Veeraswamy. The restaurant is due to celebrate its 100th anniversary next month."

"Veeraswamy has been operating from Victory House in Regent Street since 1926, welcoming notable figures such as Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Indira Gandhi. A long-standing royal favourite, the restaurant catered for Queen Elizabeth II in 2008 and 2017, served Princess Anne, and hosted King Edward VIII so frequently that his coat of arms was displayed at its entrance."

"The Crown Estate argues the building is in need of refurbishment, which they claim cannot be done with the restaurant in place. Westminster City Council approved Crown Estate plans to alter Victory House's ground floor as part of a wider refurbishment to create office spaces on the upper floors changes that would effectively cut off access to the restaurant and force it to close."

Veeraswamy, Britain's oldest surviving Indian restaurant established in 1926 on Regent Street, faces closure after the Crown Estate refused to renew its lease. Current owners Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi, who have operated the restaurant since 1997, are fighting to preserve this cultural landmark. Over 20,000 people, including celebrity chefs Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux, and Richard Corrigan, have signed a petition urging King Charles to intervene. The Crown Estate claims the building requires refurbishment incompatible with the restaurant's continued operation. Westminster City Council approved plans to alter Victory House's ground floor for office spaces, effectively blocking restaurant access. Veeraswamy has hosted notable figures including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, and Queen Elizabeth II, making it a significant part of London's cultural heritage.

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