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Top Chefs Urge Crown Estate to Keep Veeraswamy at Regent Street as Lease Dispute Drags On

An open letter from leading chefs urges the landlord to negotiate to keep the Michelin-starred venue at its Regent Street site.

Overview

  • Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr and Michael Caines joined other chefs in calling converting the site into offices a sacrilege and urging the Crown Estate to act responsibly.
  • The Crown Estate says a comprehensive refurbishment is required to bring Victory House up to modern standards and has offered relocation options and financial compensation.
  • Veeraswamy’s lease expired at the end of June, and the restaurant continues trading under protected-tenancy legal action while a court hearing is expected next spring or early summer 2026.
  • A ruling in the restaurant’s favor could allow a lease extension of up to 14 years under long-term tenant protections.
  • Founded in 1926 and operated by MW Eat, Veeraswamy has hosted notable guests over the decades, and owner Ranjit Mathrani says the non-renewal decision came out of the blue.