Campaigners urge King Charles to intervene as London's oldest Indian restaurant faces closure

"Supporters of the Michelin-starred establishment are urging the King, who has championed community links, to protect what they describe as "a living piece of shared cultural history". However, the Crown Estate insists the building requires refurbishment that cannot be done with the restaurant in place. "This is not a decision we've taken lightly," said a Crown Estate spokesman about removing the restaurant from its current premises."

"The campaign to keep Veeraswamy open - on a site where it continued serving throughout the Blitz - has attracted more than 18,000 petition signatures. Celebrity chefs including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux and Richard Corrigan have backed calls to reverse the closure decision. "Most European cities cherish their legendary resturants. Why in the name of God would we want to lose Veeraswamy?" said Corrigan. The petition urges King Charles to support efforts to "protect a historic institution" and preserve a "symbol of Indo-British cultural connections""

Veeraswamy opened in 1926 and continues to operate from its original Regent Street location. The Crown Estate has refused to renew the restaurant's lease and says the building requires refurbishment that cannot be carried out with the restaurant in place. Supporters and celebrity chefs have launched a campaign and collected more than 18,000 petition signatures urging intervention to keep the restaurant open. Campaigners are asking King Charles to support efforts to protect the site as a symbol of Indo-British cultural connections and plan to deliver petitions to Buckingham Palace. The Soho Society seeks recognition of the restaurant as an asset of community value and a centenary dinner is planned in March.

Read at www.standard.co.uk