Squatters have taken over the San Lorenzo restaurant site in Knightsbridge, which was once a favourite spot of Princess Diana.
The restaurant on Beauchamp Place closed at the start of the pandemic and a group of up to 15 squatters are now occupying the building.
The eaterie had been used by celebrities for six decades and, after the death of the owner, the family are reportedly looking to sell the building which is only 100 metres from legendary department store Harrods.
Tony Moussa, who runs the Marroush restaurant opposite the squat, told the Standard: “It’s a nightmare for business. My best tables overlook the squat where people have been smoking weed on the roof.
“It’s not a good look and the police do not do anything. They came and did nothing.
“I’ve been here more than 20 years and have to follow all the rules and regulations. I know they may have a legal right to stay but it’s no good for us.”
He added: “It’s not as if they are poor they dress better than me and one has a fancy motorbike.”
In the 90s Princess Diana would often take her sons William and Harry for lunch at the restaurant.
The Rolling Stones once famously rang the bell on its front door at 3am demanding dinner after a late-night recording session.
Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton chose to eat there to celebrate their 1966 World Cup win while Jack Nicholson was another famous patron.
Squatters have recently occupied other former celeb haunts high-end hospitality venues, with Gordon Ramsay’s pub and Marco Pierre White’s West End steakhouse also occupied until court orders forced the squatters out.
A man inside the San Lorenzo squat told the Standard: “I’m not a squatter but I can tell you these people are peaceful and very tidy.
“There is thousands of pounds worth of kitchen equipment which they have not touched.”
But another business owner said: “I get it, they have a legal right but it’s just really unfair on us law abiding business rate payers.”
