Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant could close after the landlord has declined to renew its lease in order to carry out works to the building.
Veeraswarmy, which is due to celebrate a centenary on Regent Street next year is facing an uncertain future after the Crown Estate announced plans to refurbish the building.
The 100-year old restaurant, which has welcomed famous customers including the Royal Family near Piccadilly Circus since 1926, may be forced to leave Victory House as early as June.
The Crown Estate has informed the restaurant’s parent company, MW Eat, that it does not intend to renew the contract in order to carry out ‘comprehensive refurbishment’ of the heritage site, which includes offices on the upper floors.
As part of the renovation, Veeraswarmy’s existing entrance may be used to expand the main reception space for the building, which the restaurant says will prevent it from continuing to operate.
Group co-owner Ranjit Mathrani said he turned down an offer from the Crown Estate to take more space in the building as he would have struggled to fill the extra tables.
He told the Times that he believed the Estate wanted the building to be entirely office space, adding: ‘They don’t give a bugger for history.’
A Crown Estate spokesman said: ‘We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House. This includes a major upgrade to the offices and improving the entrance to make it more accessible.
‘Due to the limited options available in this listed building we need to remove the entrance to the restaurant, which means we will not be able to offer Veeraswamy an extension when their lease expires.’