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- Squatters are occupying one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants in London.
- The squatters posted a “legal warning” in the restaurant’s window, asserting their right to remain.
- Local authorities told BI they were “aware” of the situation and “will take action where appropriate.”
Squatters have taken over one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants in London, saying they aim to create a “community space” for everyone in one of the city’s most affluent areas. Stated.
The York and Albany eatery in Camden Town is home to at least six people, according to The Sun and the BBC.
York & Albany has temporarily closed until the celebrity chef signs a new contract, The Sun reports.
The Metropolitan Police told Business Insider on April 10 that it “became aware of illegal occupiers on disused land.” It is unclear when the squatters first arrived.
Media outlets reported that the group confined themselves indoors, boarded up windows and threatened legal action against anyone who tried to remove them.
A “legal warning” was taped to the outside of the building when BI visited on Monday.
“Please be aware that we occupy this property and that it will be occupied by at least one person at all times,” the notice said.
It further states that “trespassing or attempting to enter these premises without our permission is a crime and any of us who are in physical possession of them will object to such entry without our permission.” “Because I do,” he added.
In a legal warning, the group said it would take legal action against anyone who “trespassed with violence” or “threatened to trespass with violence.”
“LASPO does not apply,” the notice said, referring to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishing Offenders Act 2012. Occupation of a non-residential building is not a crime in LASPO.
The squatters say they are allowed to stay there by law.
According to reports, Ramsay has called local authorities about the land, but so far they have not responded to remove the squatters.
Police told BI that the matter was “a civil matter, so police did not attend as an emergency response.”
However, the statement said, “We are currently determining whether any violations have occurred since then, and will take action as necessary.”
Representatives for Ramsey and York & Albany did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BI.
Two Instagram accounts, Autonomous Winter Shelter and Camden Art Cafe, describe it as a “new squat community space.”
In a statement posted to Camden Art Cafe’s Instagram account, the organization said it plans to open its doors to visitors on a regular basis.
The group said Camden has one of the highest wealth disparities in London, “so opening up a £13m estate to everyone that most locals will never be able to visit is a great idea.” It seems like a natural thing to do.”
“At a time when Camden Market has been taken over by billionaires and many local businesses are being evicted from their blocks, it is even more important that we unite in every form of resistance we know and can.” the paper added. .
Camden Art Cafe appears to have posted photos of the restaurant’s interior on Instagram.
The company’s bio reads: “An autonomous cafe in the heart of Camden, dedicated to providing free food and creating space for the community.”
According to the same media report, Ramsay became attached to the property in 2007 when director Gary Love leased it to Ramsay on a 25-year contract at an annual rent of 640,000 pounds (about $797,000). It is said that it became like this.
In 2014, Ramsay’s restaurant empire announced losses of about $8 million, mostly attributable to York & Albany and related legal costs, trade publication The Caterer reported at the time.
Mr Ramsay tried to get out of the lease in 2015 but lost in a legal battle.
According to media reports, the property was listed in late 2023 for an indicative price of £13 million, or more than $16 million.
The hotel restaurant is located next to London’s bustling tourist attraction, Regent’s Park, next to a busy traffic junction.
A Telegraph review published in 2020 described the hotel as a “chic” space with rooms designed by British fashion designer Russell Sage. His 19th-century rooms with high ceilings were decorated with contemporary pieces, the review said.
When BI visited, it looked like an abandoned hotel, with the lights out and some of the windows boarded up.
There was little activity on the streets, just a BI reporter and another journalist outside trying to talk to the squatters.
The sign announcing the occupation and the new “cafe” on the premises was so small that it was easy to walk past it without noticing it.
BI reporters were eventually invited inside, but were not allowed to conduct interviews, record audio, or take photographs.
An art workshop was in progress, people were working on creating works themed around their local area, and the atmosphere was peaceful. One of the participants went out to buy clay.
People said the aim was to create a sense of community, discuss what they wanted to change locally and have a creative hub.
There was free food and drink and free sanitary products.
Other stories about squatters also made headlines this year.
In New York City, a couple is unable to move into the home they bought for $2 million because squatters refuse to vacate the property. The couple filed a lawsuit against the squatters to evict them, but the squatters countersued for harassment.
The outlet also reported last month that the squatters had been living in the Beverly Hills mansion for five months. The group was evicted, but no criminal charges were filed.
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