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Top Chefs Urge Crown Estate to Keep Veeraswamy at Regent Street Site

A protected-tenancy hearing next year could grant a long extension.

Overview

  • An open letter signed by Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr, Michael Caines and other leading chefs calls for meaningful dialogue to keep Veeraswamy in Victory House.
  • The Crown Estate has declined to renew the lease, citing a plan to extend the ground-floor reception and convert parts of the building for office use.
  • Veeraswamy continues trading under protected-tenancy rights after its lease expired in June 2025, with a court hearing scheduled for spring or early summer 2026.
  • A court ruling in the restaurant’s favor could extend its tenancy by up to 14 years under long-term tenant protections.
  • Founded in 1926 and awarded a Michelin star in 2017, the restaurant has served guests including Mahatma Gandhi and Princess Anne, underscoring arguments over its cultural and tourism value.