LONDON: Around 20,000 people have signed a petition addressed to King Charles III calling on him to prevent the closure of legendary Indian restaurant Veeraswamy in London. The Michelin-starred restaurant, which opened in 1926, is the oldest Indian restaurant in the UK. But its landlord, the Crown Estate, refused to renew its lease last year, saying it needs to refurbish Victory House, the building it is located in in.
Victory House is in poor condition and in urgent need of renovation following a flood in 2023. The Crown Estate has received planning permission for refurbishment, which includes a major upgrade to offices and expanding the entrance. This involves removing the entrance to Veeraswamy.
