Gordon Ramsay’s £13 Million Pub Invaded By Squatters, Left In Shambles
Squatters Take Over Ramsay’s Pub
FOUL-mouthed telly chef Gordon Ramsay is seething after squatters broke into his chic £13 million boozer — and left it looking like a dog’s dinner. The brazen invaders have even slapped a legal notice on the outside of the Grade-II listed building, threatening action against anyone who tries to force them out.
Invasion and Takeover
The gang, said to be made up of at least six “professional squatters”, used Ramsay’s own kitchen appliances to barricade themselves in and have glued shut the locks. Photos show the swanky bar area of the venue — which had been temporarily closed for a handover — resembling a tip, with debris sprawled everywhere and a squatter crashed out on a leather sofa.
Ramsay’s Nightmare Scenario
Ramsay, 57, was about to sign over a multi-million pound lease to new partners when the gang broke in to the York & Albany pub and boutique hotel near Regent’s Park, central London. The TV chef — who was embroiled in a legal battle over the venue back in 2015 — called the police last Wednesday but has been unable to remove the squatters from the 19th-century building.
Legal Standoff
The squatters have placed a bike lock on a metal gate leading to the hotel. They have also slapped a legal notice on the front door, saying they are entitled to stay there as it “is a non-residential building”. They claim that the law which prevents squatting is not applicable because it “was NOT designed or adapted, before the time of our entry, for use as a place to live”.
Legal Threats
Incredibly, they then threaten legal action, suggesting that if anyone tries to enter “by violence” they could end up in jail for six months. They warn: “Take notice that we occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person in occupation. That any entry or attempt to enter into these premises without our permission is therefore a criminal offence as any one of us who is in physical possession is opposed to such entry without our permission.”
Judicial Background
Film director and actor Gary Love bought the freehold of the derelict former coaching inn in 2007 from the Crown Estate. He then leased the premises for 25 years to Michelin-starred chef Ramsay, and it was transformed into a hugely successful boutique hotel and restaurant. However in 2015 Hell’s Kitchen star Ramsay was embroiled in an unsuccessful legal battle over the premises after trying to free himself from the lease.
Current Standoff
Last night the Met confirmed: “Police were made aware of squatters at a disused property in Parkway, Regent’s Park, NW1 on Wednesday, 10 April.” Squatters are viewed as a “civil matter” so police did not attend.