The owners of Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant have applied for asset of community value (ACV) status in attempt to block plans to close it. Veeraswamy, which dates back to 1926, could be lost after Westminster City Council approved Crown Estate plans to redevelop the building at 99 Regent Street in London.
Veeraswamy’s owners Ranjit Mathrani and Namita Panjabi, of MW Eats, have submitted an application to designate Veeraswamy an ACV, which could protect the restaurant by imposing restrictions and potentially delaying the redevelopment plans.
Mathrani said: “We urge Westminster Council to make Veeraswamy an ACV. For nearly 100 years, the restaurant has been the most iconic Indian restaurant in the country. The restaurant is not only an asset for the local community but has national value as it attracts so many overseas visitors. The restaurant is an important part of Regent Street, and if it is forced to close by the Crown Estates, it will be a terrible loss to London.”
The council is now considering the application, and a decision will be made in the coming weeks. Veeraswamy’s 25-year lease expired in June, and the Crown Estate has previously stated it does not intend to renew it. MW Eats launched legal action this summer, allowing Veeraswamy to continue operating until a court hearing – expected in spring or early summer next year.
Earlier this month, MW Eats – which also operates the Chutney Mary and Amaya restaurants and the Masala Zone business – reported turnover increased slightly to £31,789,469 for the year compared with £31,372,050 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was up to £4,433,462 from £3,376,685 the year before (2019: profit of £3,955,479).
Author: George Shaw
Former BBC journalist and founder and CEO of an award-winning London advertising and PR company for 20 years, providing restaurant consultancy services. Spent a decade as the director of communications of the Asian Catering Federation in the UK and lead judge for its various restaurant and chef awards programmes. Now returned to journalism, specialising in food and travel and currently the Editor-in-Chief for Taste London, Taste Asia, the Good Curry Guide and CEO of International Culinary Guides.