UK’s oldest Indian restaurant could be forced to shut down after 99 years

Bangla Press Desk: The oldest Indian restaurant in the UK faces being shut down after almost 100 years in business following an ongoing battle over redevelopment plans.

Veeraswamy, which is located in Victory House in London’s Regent Street, first opened its doors 99 years ago in 1926. But owners say its future is now threatened after Westminster City Council approved Crown Estate plans to redevelop Victory House.

The proposals include converting the upper floors into offices and reconfiguring the ground floor. Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi, who have run the historic site since 1997, say the plans would cut off access to the restaurant and force it to close.

The Soho Society has now applied for Veeraswamy to get Asset of Community Value (ACV) status in a bid to block redevelopment plans. ACV status means a building or land is considered to have particular cultural or social importance.

Mr Mathrani said: “We urge Westminster Council to make Veeraswamy an Asset of Community Value. For nearly 100 years the restaurant has been the most iconic Indian restaurant in the country.

“It is not only an asset for the local community but has national value as it attracts so many overseas visitors. It is an important part of Regent Street, and if it is forced to close by The Crown Estate it will be a terrible loss to London.”

Westminster City Council is now considering the application. Over the years, Veeraswamy has welcomed famous figures including Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin, Indira Gandhi and Queen Elizabeth II.

Veeraswamy was awarded a Michelin star in 2016. But its 25-year lease expired in June 2025 and it hasn't been renewed by the Crown Estate.

In its application for ACV, the restaurant was described as: “It is famous, inter alia, for introducing beer with Indian food following a visit from Prince Axel of Denmark in 1926.

“It has also been visited by Mahatma Gandi, Prime Minister Nehru, Charlie Chaplin and many members of royal families from across the world including the Princess Royal. It has uniquely twice catered for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2008 and 2017.

“The restaurant is also a key local hub for local residents and a meeting place as it has been for nearly 100 years.

BP/SP