Veeraswamy, an iconic restaurant on London’s Regent Street, is leaving no stone unturned to stay put in its original location where it was founded in 1926. Its landlord, the Crown Estate, has declared that the restaurant’s lease cannot be renewed owing to the building’s refurbishment plans.

Campaigners, including celebrity chefs, in favour of the legendary restaurant, hope to take a petition to Buckingham Palace, seeking the intervention of King Charles III in the matter.

The Crown Estate, an independent property company, is keen on having Veeraswamy removed, saying the building needs a refurbishment that is not possible with the restaurant operating from its present location.

Veeraswamy, which served food through the wartime Blitz and has been to Buckingham Palace more than once, received a Michelin star in 2016.

The petition now calls on King Charles to back the ‘save Veeraswamy’ campaign to ‘protect a historic institution’ and save a ‘symbol of Indo-British cultural connections’.

A centenary dinner has been planned in March this year when celebrities, public figures, activists and chefs are expected to rally in support of the 100-year-old institution. – editor@nrifocus.com