The doors of Britain’s very first Indian restaurant could be shut after the Crown Estate has refused to renew the 99-year-old curry house’s lease with plans to remove the eatery
Curry fans are flocking to support the legendary Indian restaurant which sparked Brit’s love for the dish.
Thousands of people have backed the campaign to save the Veeraswamy, known as the birthplace of our love of curry’n’beer, since we highlighted its perilous position on our front page. The jewel of Indo-British cuisine is facing a battle to stay at their iconic London venue on Regent’s Street for its 100th birthday next month.
The famous curry house – which was awarded a Michelin star on its 90th birthday in 2016 – has welcomed a long list of star-studded guests throughout the years. The iconic list includes historical figures such as Ghandi, Charlie Chaplin and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
In more recent years the Michelin star restaurant welcomed guests such as British actor Tom Hardy, the Godfather legend Marlo Brando and members of the pop band Westlife. A petition has been launched to save Britain’s very first curry house as campaigners are striving to have their grievances heard outside the gates of Buckingham palace by King Charles.
Passionate protesters have pushed back against the possibility that the national treasure could be converted into office space if the battle to save Veeraswamy ends in failure.
More than 20,000 people have rallied around the petition calling for the iconic London eatery to remain in its original site in Victory House, where it first opened its door almost 100 years ago. Supporters of Veeraswamy have called the restaurant an “institution worthy of national recognition.”
Outraged by the decision to move the culinary cornerstone, the supporters have said: “Veeraswamy deserves our highest praise for its long legacy of excellence and service. The legacy must be preserved.” A Crown Estate spokesman said they don’t plan to renew the company’s lease, saying it “a decision we’ve taken lightly.”
The spokesman said it understood its change-of-use decision was “disappointing” for the restaurant and it has offered to help find alternative premises in the West End plus financial compensation.
The statement added: “We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House to both bring it up to modern standards, and into full use.” Without an agreed settlement the dispute could end up in court with the restaurant challenging the non-renewal of its lease.
The petition can be found here.
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