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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Saving Veeraswamy, a British institution
Next year Veeraswamy, the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in Britain — actually, its owners claim it could be the oldest surviving Indian restaurant in the world — will be a 100 years old. Alas, that could also be the precise moment it ceases to exist. So, what is intended as a celebration could end up a wake. It's not just Veeraswamy's place in history that should be protected and preserved. It's also a rather good restaurant. (Alex Muller/Wikimedia Commons) Veeraswamy is perhaps one of the best-known landmarks on London's Regent Street. Not so long ago it had Austin Reed on its left and Aquascutum in front. Both of those legendary clothiers have disappeared. They have passed into history. Is that what might happen to Veeraswamy? If it does, its owners, Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi, believe it would be 'cultural philistinism'. Not many would disagree. It was way back in 1926 that Veeraswamy was founded by Edward Palmer, the great-grandson of General William Palmer and the Moghul Princess Faisan Nissa Begum. The restaurant is named after his grandmother Veera. In 1937 it became the first establishment outside India to install a tandoor oven. In the 1940s, it survived the blitz, its diners allegedly undeterred by German bombs. The truth is Veeraswamy has always been one of the favourite eating spots for some of the most famous residents of London. The Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) dined there so frequently that his coat of arms used to adorn the entrance. In fact, in the early 1930s, the Crown Prince of Denmark couldn't resist the place. He was not just a regular. It was one of his favourite haunts. The Goan-style duck vindaloo was his preferred dish. In gratitude, he took to sending a cask of Carlsberg to the restaurant every Christmas. Perhaps this is the origin of the British passion for beer and Indian food, which today is the mainstay of people who roll out of pubs hungry and tipsy around 11 pm every night. Veeraswamy has also been very popular with Indians. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and VK Krishna Menon were frequent visitors. So too Winston Churchill, the Kings of Sweden and Jordan, Marlon Brando, Laurence Olivier, Pierce Brosnan, Princess Anne, and David Cameron. In 1948, it catered to the Indian Olympic team. In 2017, Queen Elizabeth asked Veeraswamy to cater for the visiting President of India. The problem threatening Veeraswamy is that the building where it's housed on Regent Street is part of the Crown Estate, the institution that runs King Charles's properties. They've decided not to renew the lease when it expires in April next year. Instead, they want to take over the 11 square metre ground floor entrance to the restaurant so they can extend the reception for the offices on the building's upper floors. 'I think they have come to the view that it's too tiresome having a restaurant there. They want it to be all offices,' Mathrani recently told The Times. Veeraswamy has, of course, gone to court but the case is still to be heard. They have also organised a petition that tens of thousands have signed and which will, in due course, be presented to the King. But if none of that works then, as Mathrani bluntly puts it, 'We'll have to close down and then seek to revive in a new site after whatever period of time with all the implications for loss of business (and) potential redundancies'. And then, he ruefully adds, this might 'effectively destroy a major London institution'. That would be truly tragic. It's not just Veeraswamy's place in history that should be protected and preserved. It's also a rather good restaurant. In 2016, it was awarded a Michelin star, which it holds to this day. There aren't many other Indian restaurants that can make a similar boast. So, will King Charles intercede and prevent Veeraswamy's closure? It's the only hope left. But just in case he doesn't, I shall, on my next visit to London, make a point of dining there if only, sadly, to bid a fond adieu. Why don't you consider doing the same? Karan Thapar is the author of Devil's Advocate: The Untold Story. The views expressed are personal.
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK's oldest Indian restaurant with Michelin star at threat of closure pleas with King Charles to keep it open
The venue has served the late Queen at Buckingham Palace twice LAST DITCH UK's oldest Indian restaurant with Michelin star at threat of closure pleas with King Charles to keep it open Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE UK's oldest Indian restaurant has started a petition to King Charles to save it from closure after 99 years. The King's property company has refused to extend the restaurant's lease just before its 100th birthday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Restaurant owners, Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi are pleading to keep their venue open Credit: Rex 4 Indian restaurant Veeraswamy might be closing after a lease disagreement Credit: Handout 4 They have catered to the Princess Royal, Lord Cameron, overseas monarchs, and the late queen Credit: Instagram @ Owners of the iconic Indian Veeraswamy, London, have started a petition pleading with to His Majesty King Charles III to save their beloved restaurant. On the petition reads: "Veeraswamy has operated at the same premises from the time it opened its doors on 16 March 1926 the month before the birth date of the late Queen Elizabeth II (We have owned the premises since 1997). "In April next year, Veeraswamy will have achieved the very rare milestone of 100 years as a rent-paying tenant to the Crown in the same premises. "Unfortunately, the Crown Estate, our landlord, has unreasonably refused to extend Veeraswamy's lease. "This is ostensibly because they require the tiny 11 sq metres of the restaurant entrance to extend their own entrance for the offices on the upper floors, and because planned refurbishment works in the upper floors would render the restaurant unable to operate." Co-owners Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi said the explanation does not add up, calling their Crowne Estate's reasoning to scrap the lease as "flimsy." They continued: "These arguments are flimsy. "There are alternative reception areas and the work can be carried out elsewhere in the building whilst we are operating, as happened frequently." So far the petition has racked up nearly 10,000 signatures. They have applied to the Courts to extend the lease but a decision is not expected until summer 2026, which still puts them at risk of closure before the result. Farewell to a Community Icon: Visocchi's and More (1) The owners explained that despite offering The Crown Estate compensation for a loss of income the landlord has denied their requests. They concluded: "Our distinguished recent clientele has included the Princess Royal, Lord Cameron and overseas monarchs. "We have twice catered for functions for the late Queen at Buckingham Palace, the only restaurant to have done so. "In 2016, we became the oldest restaurant to achieve a Michelin Star which we continue to hold." Veeraswamy on Regent Street has been serving Indian dishes since 1926 but its lease is expiring in June and The Crown Estate has demanded the space in order to finish a 12-month renovation. After 99 years of service in London, the iconic restaurant will be turned into offices. A blindsided Ranjit Mathrani, 81, co-owner of MW Eat, said the news "came out of the blue." He told The Times: "I think they've come to the view that it's too tiresome having a restaurant there, they want it to be all offices. 'They don't care a bugger for history - had they wanted to, they could've easily …put the [office] reception on the first floor. If they'd have asked us to match the [office] rent, I would have. "The effect of what they're doing would be to effectively destroy a major London institution.' Due to the ongoing conflict between the owners and the Crown Estate, Mathrani hasn't had the time to find a new site before Veeraswamy's lease runs out. Now Mathrani faces loss of business and potential redundancies - he said if the landlords were being responsible the restaurant would have been given two years to relocate A spokeswoman for the Crown Estate said: "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.' What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
The Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
UK's oldest Indian restaurant with Michelin star at threat of closure pleas with King Charles to keep it open
THE UK's oldest Indian restaurant has started a petition to King Charles to save it from closure after 99 years. The King's property company has refused to extend the restaurant's lease just before its 100th birthday. 4 4 4 Owners of the iconic Indian Veeraswamy, London, have started a petition pleading with to His Majesty King Charles III to save their beloved restaurant. On the petition read s: "Veeraswamy has operated at the same premises from the time it opened its doors on 16 March 1926 the month before the birth date of the late Queen Elizabeth II (We have owned the premises since 1997). "In April next year, Veeraswamy will have achieved the very rare milestone of 100 years as a rent-paying tenant to the Crown in the same premises. "Unfortunately, the Crown Estate, our landlord, has unreasonably refused to extend Veeraswamy's lease. "This is ostensibly because they require the tiny 11 sq metres of the restaurant entrance to extend their own entrance for the offices on the upper floors, and because planned refurbishment works in the upper floors would render the restaurant unable to operate." Co-owners Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi said the explanation does not add up, calling their Crowne Estate's reasoning to scrap the lease as "flimsy." They continued: "These arguments are flimsy. "There are alternative reception areas and the work can be carried out elsewhere in the building whilst we are operating, as happened frequently." So far the petition has racked up nearly 10,000 signatures. They have applied to the Courts to extend the lease but a decision is not expected until summer 2026, which still puts them at risk of closure before the result. The owners explained that despite offering The Crown Estate compensation for a loss of income the landlord has denied their requests. They concluded: "Our distinguished recent clientele has included the Princess Royal, Lord Cameron and overseas monarchs. "We have twice catered for functions for the late Queen at Buckingham Palace, the only restaurant to have done so. "In 2016, we became the oldest restaurant to achieve a Michelin Star which we continue to hold." Veeraswamy on Regent Street has been serving Indian dishes since 1926 but its lease is expiring in June and The Crown Estate has demanded the space in order to finish a 12-month renovation. After 99 years of service in London, the iconic restaurant will be turned into offices. A blindsided Ranjit Mathrani, 81, co-owner of MW Eat, said the news"came out of the blue." He told The Times: "I think they've come to the view that it's too tiresome having a restaurant there, they want it to be all offices. 'They don't care a bugger for history - had they wanted to, they could've easily …put the [office] reception on the first floor. If they'd have asked us to match the [office] rent, I would have. "The effect of what they're doing would be to effectively destroy a major London institution.' Due to the ongoing conflict between the owners and the Crown Estate, Mathrani hasn't had the time to find a new site before Veeraswamy's lease runs out. Now Mathrani faces loss of business and potential redundancies - he said if the landlords were being responsible the restaurant would have been given two years to relocate A spokeswoman for the Crown Estate said: "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.' What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans. 4
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The Independent
16-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The UK's oldest Indian restaurant is under threat
Veeraswamy, the UK's oldest Indian restaurant, faces eviction from its Regent Street location after 99 years due to a lease dispute with the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate plans to renovate the building, requiring the removal of the restaurant's entrance, and intends to convert the space into offices. Veeraswamy's owner, Ranjit Mathrani, criticizes the decision, citing the restaurant's historical and cultural significance, and is taking the Crown Estate to court to delay the eviction. The restaurant has served numerous dignitaries and royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II, and claims to be the only outside caterer invited to Buckingham Palace. While the Crown Estate has offered to assist in finding a new location, Mathrani expresses concern about the potential closure and job losses for the restaurant's 50 staff members.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American junk food is taking over Britain's high streets, warns curry tycoon
American junk food chains are taking over Britain's high streets, the owner of the UK's oldest Indian restaurant has said. Ranjit Mathrani, the founder of MW Eat, has said higher taxes and increased labour costs are playing into the hands of US fast food giants as they are better equipped to cope than smaller independent restaurants. It comes amid the fear of sweeping restaurant closures in the wake of Rachel Reeves's Budget, which increased both employer National Insurance rates and the National Minimum Wage. Mr Mathrani said: 'The McDonald's of the world and the KFCs of the world, with automation, will be less affected. The ones who will be most affected will be informal dining, everyday eating out for people who want table service and decent food at reasonable prices. 'It's going to affect the high street materially because the smaller restaurants will not survive, and the bigger ones will be converted into the Popeyes [US fried chicken chain] of the world, the fast food chains coming from the states.' MW Eat runs the Masala Zone chain, which has five sites across London, as well as the high-end Indian restaurants Amaya, Chutney Mary and Veeraswamy. Opened in 1926 by a retired British Indian Army Officer, Veeraswamy is the UK's oldest curry house and holds a Michelin Star for its cooking. Mr Mathrani has weighed in on the debate over restaurant closures as US chains such as Popeyes and Taco Bell expand at pace across Britain, fuelled by investment from private equity. As a result of the Budget, Mr Mathrani said his company would be forced to cut around 5pc of its workforce – equivalent to around 25 roles. He said: 'I've informed all my management that we will have to trim the headcount, and they're working on it as we speak. 'It'll be the restaurants which are giving customer service and providing food which is of variety and quality and made on the premises. That is what will be hollowed out for mass food service.' While Mr Mathrani does not oppose the idea of increasing NI contributions from employers, he believes the Chancellor's current plan could be tweaked so as not to specifically punish smaller hospitality businesses. In particular, he is opposed to the Chancellor's decision to lower the threshold at which NI is paid from £9,100 to £5,000, which he believes disproportionally impacts smaller restaurant chains that rely on part-time workers. The Treasury was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
