LONDON: Veeraswamy, Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant, is facing closure following a legal dispute with its landlord, the Crown Estate. Campaigners have now taken a petition to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, seeking his symbolic support to save the historic establishment.
Founded in 1926 by Edward Palmer, a former Anglo-Indian army officer, the Regent Street restaurant has long been regarded as a pioneer of fine Indian dining in Britain. Known for its opulent interiors and formal service, it has hosted diplomats, politicians and visiting dignitaries over the decades.
The restaurant also catered twice for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace — in 2009 during a state visit by the Indian president and again in 2017 to mark 70 years of Indian independence.
The dispute began after the Crown Estate announced plans to modernise Victory House, the Grade II-listed building where the restaurant is located.
According to planning documents, proposed changes to the entrance would make the restaurant inaccessible. The Crown Estate said the refurbishment is necessary to bring the building up to modern standards and ensure full use of the property. It added that the decision was “not taken lightly” and that Veeraswamy has been offered financial compensation and assistance in finding alternative West End premises.
In their petition, co-owners Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi accuse the Crown Estate of “shifting the reasons” for eviction and refusing compromise. The petition, backed by celebrity chefs including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux and Richard Corrigan, has gathered more than 20,000 verified signatures.
Buckingham Palace said the matter rests with the Crown Estate, noting the monarch has no authority over commercial leasing decisions.