A report in The Times reveals that the restaurant’s landlord, The Crown Estate, wants to take the site back in order to carry out a 12-month renovation of the entire building that would see the space converted into offices.
Veeraswamy is owned by MW Eat and reputed to be the ‘UK’s oldest Indian restaurant’.
It originally opened in 1926 and is located within Victory House on Regent Street, close to Piccadilly Circus.
Ranjit Mathrani, who co-owns MW Eat with sisters Camellia and Namita Panjabi, told The Times that he has taken The Crown Estate to court to try to get the lease extended.
He believes Veeraswamy will be able to continue to trade from Victory House until next spring or summer, depending on the court’s timing.
“We’re open to moving, because we accept the inevitability that, sooner or later, they will be able to turf us out,” he said.
“Ideally, if they’re being reasonable people, we need two years to find a site [and fit it out], but that is not currently something they’re willing to do.”
In a statement provided to Restaurant, a spokesperson for The Crown Estate said: “The Crown Estate has a duty to generate value for the nation, while acting as responsible stewards for this historic part of London. 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.
“We appreciate this is upsetting for Veeraswamy and have offered to help find new premises elsewhere on our portfolio having explored other options to accommodate their needs.
“Veeraswamy has been a valued part of Regent Street for many years. We thank them and their customers for their contributions to the West End.”