Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Veeraswamy Accuses Crown Estate of Undervaluing Indian Cuisine
Veeraswamy is a famous Indian restaurant that has been on Regent Street since 1926.
Its owner, Ranjit Mathrani, says the Crown Estate did not value Indian food as highly as European food when it decided not to renew the restaurant’s lease.
The Crown Estate says its decision is about repairing and changing the building after flood damage, not about the food.
Its plan would use the restaurant’s space for offices, so Veeraswamy could not return after the work.
The restaurant’s owners say they offered several ways to keep it there, but those ideas were not accepted.
The Crown Estate says it offered help finding another West End location and financial compensation.
Veeraswamy is still open while the disagreement continues.
A court is expected to hear the case in November.
Veeraswamy chairman Ranjit Mathrani says the Crown Estate undervalued Indian cuisine in deciding not to renew the restaurant’s lease.
The Crown Estate says it plans to refurbish Grade II-listed Victory House after 2023 flood damage and convert the restaurant space into a larger office reception.
Veeraswamy, which opened on Regent Street in 1926 and received a Michelin star in 2016, is continuing to trade during the dispute.
MW Eat says it proposed buying the building, matching office rent while carrying out works, and redesigning the restaurant, but the Crown Estate rejected the proposals.
The dispute is expected to go to court in November; MW Eat estimates lost rent and legal costs at about £1.7 million, potentially rising to £2.2 million.
- Who
- Veeraswamy chairman Ranjit Mathrani and its parent company MW Eat are in a lease dispute with the Crown Estate.
- What
- Veeraswamy is contesting the Crown Estate’s decision not to renew its lease as the building is set to be redeveloped.
- When
- The restaurant opened in 1926; the building suffered flood damage in 2023, and a court hearing is expected in November.
- Where
- Victory House on Regent Street, London.
- Why
- The Crown Estate says it needs to refurbish the listed building and use the restaurant space for a larger office reception; Mathrani also alleges Indian cuisine was undervalued.
MW Eat and Veeraswamy
The Crown Estate
Reason for ending the lease
MW Eat and Veeraswamy
Ranjit Mathrani alleges the decision was partly shaped by Indian cuisine being regarded as less important than French and European food.
The Crown Estate
The Crown Estate says the decision concerns refurbishment of Victory House after flood damage and its plans for the building, not the cuisine.
Keeping the restaurant at Victory House
MW Eat and Veeraswamy
MW Eat says it proposed buying the building, matching potential office rent while undertaking works, and redesigning the restaurant, but those proposals were effectively rejected.
The Crown Estate
The Crown Estate says it reviewed MW Eat’s alternative proposals and none met its responsibilities as steward of the listed building.
Alternative premises and support
MW Eat and Veeraswamy
Mathrani says the Crown Estate has not offered suitable premises.
The Crown Estate
The Crown Estate says it offered help finding new premises within its portfolio so Veeraswamy could remain in the West End, as well as financial compensation.
- Restaurant
- Veeraswamy, described as Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant
- Opened
- 1926
- Location
- Victory House, Regent Street, London
- Michelin star
- Received in 2016
- Building
- Grade II-listed Victory House; the Crown Estate cites flood damage in 2023
- Court hearing
- Expected in November
- Estimated costs
- MW Eat estimates lost rent and legal costs at about £1.7 million, potentially rising to £2.2 million by the hearing
- Support petition
- More than 20,000 signatures earlier this year