Veeraswamy, the United Kingdom’s oldest Indian restaurant, is on the brink of closure after 99 years, sparking a public campaign that is appealing directly to King Charles III for help. Supporters are preparing to deliver a petition to Buckingham Palace in the coming weeks, urging the monarch to intervene in a lease dispute with the Crown Estate, the restaurant’s landlord.
Founded in 1926 and still operating from its original location on London’s Regent Street, Veeraswamy has become a cherished institution. It served customers through the wartime Blitz and has hosted a who’s who of historical and cultural figures, from Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru to Sir Winston Churchill and celebrities like Charlie Chaplin. The restaurant claims to have introduced the first tandoor oven to the UK and is credited with popularizing the combination of curry and beer, a staple of British dining.
The crisis stems from the Crown Estate’s decision not to renew Veeraswamy’s lease as part of plans to refurbish Victory House, the Grade II-listed building it occupies. The landlord argues that the modernization is necessary and incompatible with the restaurant’s continued operation, offering to help find alternative premises in the West End along with financial compensation. However, the restaurant’s co-owner, Ranjit Mathrani, and supporters contend that moving would strip Veeraswamy of its historical context and community ties.
A petition to save the restaurant has garnered over 18,000 signatures and has drawn support from high-profile chefs such as Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux, and Richard Corrigan. The Soho Society, which campaigns to protect the area’s character, is backing the fight, describing the potential closure as a “major loss to London’s history and culinary heritage.” They are pushing for the restaurant to be recognized as an asset of community value.
Veeraswamy’s cultural significance extends beyond its menu; it represents a living piece of shared Indo-British history. For decades, it has been a meeting place for the Indian diaspora and a symbol of cultural exchange, earning a Michelin star in 2016 on its 90th anniversary. The restaurant’s supporters emphasize its role in breaking barriers for subsequent Indian eateries across the UK.
With the dispute unresolved, the matter is likely to head to court later this summer. In the meantime, campaigners plan to bring the petition to the gates of Buckingham Palace and organize a centenary dinner in March to rally further support. Mathrani has expressed hope that King Charles, known for his advocacy of community links, might have a “quiet word” to aid the cause, though Buckingham Palace has stated it is a matter for the Crown Estate.
The threat to Veeraswamy echoes the recent closure of another historic Indian dining spot, the India Club, highlighting broader challenges in preserving cultural landmarks amid urban development. As the restaurant approaches its 100th birthday, the outcome of this battle will test the balance between modernization and heritage, with implications for how cities value their culinary and historical institutions.
