Britain’s Oldest Indian Restaurant ‘Veeraswamy’ Faces Closure as Crown Estate Declines Lease Renewal

Veeraswamy, the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK, is facing possible closure as the Crown Estate has decided not to renew its lease, which is set to expire in June 2025. The restaurant, located in Victory House on Regent Street, has been serving diners since 1926 and is known for its rich history, celebrity patrons, and Michelin-starred Indian cuisine.

Over the decades, the restaurant has welcomed legendary figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Marlon Brando, Sharon Stone, and David Cameron. It was also a favorite of Indian maharajas and European royalty. The King of Denmark once shipped his own cask of Carlsberg beer to the restaurant for his visits.

The Crown Estate, which manages a portfolio of properties on behalf of the British monarchy, has stated that the restaurant’s space is required to expand the reception area of the building’s offices. By absorbing part of Veeraswamy’s premises, they claim to gain an additional 11 square meters for office use.

Veeraswamy’s owners, Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi, who took over the restaurant in 1996, are opposing the decision. Mathrani, now 81, argues that the Crown Estate could have easily placed the reception on the first floor, instead of shutting down a historically and culturally important restaurant. “They’ve decided it’s too much trouble having a restaurant there,” he said in a statement to The Times of London.

The restaurant’s iconic art nouveau interiors, influenced by Indian palaces and 1920s design, would be lost if forced to close. Mathrani fears this could also lead to staff layoffs and business losses until a new location is found and fitted out.

The Crown Estate has responded, saying it must act in the nation’s interest by improving the building and its accessibility. A spokesperson told The Times of India, “We need to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment of Victory House, including upgrades to the offices and the entrance. Due to the building’s listed status, options are limited, and unfortunately, this means we cannot offer Veeraswamy a lease extension.”

In response, Mathrani is taking legal action against the Crown Estate, seeking to protect the legacy and continuation of Veeraswamy, a restaurant that has stood as a symbol of Indian culture and culinary excellence in Britain for nearly a century.