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Veeraswamy, the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant and a Michelin-starred institution frequented by royalty and celebrities, is facing potential closure after nearly a century of operation due to a dispute over a small portion of space.
Located near Piccadilly Circus since 1926, Veeraswamy has welcomed distinguished guests including Princess Anne, Lord David Cameron, and King Abdullah of Jordan. However, the future of the iconic restaurant is uncertain, as the Crown Estate — which owns the building — has declined to renew its lease, set to expire in June.
Owner Ranjit Mathrani, 81, expressed shock at the decision, especially since the Crown Estate had previously discussed the possibility of expanding the restaurant’s space. According to property managers, the restaurant’s entrance area — just 11 square meters — is needed to revamp the upper-floor offices, which have been vacant since a flood last year. The proposed renovation would eliminate Veeraswamy's entrance, rendering continued operation impossible.
Despite a surge in demand for West End office space post-pandemic, Mathrani questions the rationale behind the decision. He claims alternative solutions were not fully explored and that the Crown Estate denied the restaurant the option to remain open while searching for a new location — potentially resulting in job losses and the loss of a historic culinary landmark.
“They don’t care about history,” Mathrani told The Times, adding that he would have been willing to match office rental rates or explore other spatial solutions.
Currently engaged in legal proceedings to extend the lease, Mathrani says the restaurant may only have one year left. He’s open to relocating but emphasizes that two years would be needed to secure and prepare a new space — a timeline the Crown Estate has not agreed to.
In response, a spokesperson for the Crown Estate stated: “Victory House requires a comprehensive refurbishment, including modernizing the offices and improving accessibility. Due to constraints within this listed building, removing the restaurant entrance is necessary, and unfortunately, we will be unable to renew Veeraswamy’s lease.”
