UK’s oldest Indian restaurant begins legal fight with Crown Estate over Regent Street eviction – as owner says they’re being disrespected because they don’t serve British cuisine

Veeraswamy, described as the UK’s oldest Indian restaurant, is challenging the Crown Estate in court over plans to end its lease at its Regent Street premises. The restaurant’s chair says the estate has shown too little regard for its history and culinary heritage, and questions whether it would act the same way towards a restaurant serving cuisine more familiar to it.

The restaurant has operated in the building since 1926 and is seeking to remain there while refurbishment takes place. The Crown Estate says the work is needed after flooding and that the restaurant’s entrance obstructs the renovation; it plans to convert the space into offices. Veeraswamy’s parent company says it offered to match office rents or take on a 35-year lease, while the estate reportedly offered £500,000 compensation against a claimed £5 million relocation cost. Several prominent chefs have urged the estate to hold talks.