Veeraswamy court showdown on hold

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 30, 2026

The legal hearing between Veeraswamy, London’s oldest Indian restaurant, and the Crown Estate over the restaurant’s tenancy at Victory House has been postponed with no new date set. The delay prolongs the ongoing dispute amid the landlord's plans to refurbish the building, while both sides consider a potential settlement to avoid court.

A planned legal hearing between Veeraswamy, Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant, and the Crown Estate over the restaurant’s tenancy in Regent Street, London, has been postponed. The case, due to be heard at Central London County Court, was delayed for administrative reasons, with a new date yet to be confirmed.

Veeraswamy has operated from Victory House, near Piccadilly Circus, since its establishment in 1926. The restaurant, which has held a prestigious Michelin star and counted high-profile guests such as Princess Anne, Lord Cameron, Charlie Chaplin, and Mahatma Gandhi among its patrons, has been at the center of a tenancy dispute following the expiration of its lease in 2025. The lease, valued at £205,000 annually, was not renewed by the Crown Estate, the landlord of the property.

Ranjit Mathrani, chairman of MW Eat, the company that owns Veeraswamy, said that due to the availability of legal teams and expert witnesses on both sides, the hearing is unlikely to be rescheduled before late autumn 2026. He also indicated that the company is open to attempting a settlement prior to the court proceedings. The dispute has been ongoing for over a year, with Veeraswamy seeking legal permission to remain in the premises.

The Crown Estate intends to reclaim Victory House for extensive refurbishment of the office spaces on the upper floors, which have been vacant since 2023 following a basement flood. The restaurant itself, which operates on an independent power supply and was not affected by the flood damage, remains open during the ongoing legal dispute.

A spokesperson for the Crown Estate emphasized the need for modernization and full utilization of Victory House, stating that the refurbishment would bring the building up to current standards. The representative also expressed understanding for the difficulties faced by MW Eat and confirmed that they have proposed assistance in locating alternative West End premises within their property portfolio, along with financial compensation to support the restaurant’s move.

As the case awaits rescheduling, both parties appear to be exploring options to resolve the matter outside of court.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.