– At least six squatters have occupied Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant York & Albany in London
– The squatters have locked themselves inside the building and threatened legal action against those attempting to remove them
– In response to a new lease finalized by Ramsay, the squatters have claimed occupancy under the Legal Aid, Sentencing, and Punishment Offenders Act of 2012
Squatters have taken over Gordon Ramsay’s York & Albany restaurant in London, where at least six people have been residing. The group locked themselves inside the building, boarded up the windows, and threatened legal action against those trying to remove them. They claimed that their presence is allowed under the Legal Aid, Sentencing, and Punishment Offenders Act.
Ramsay, who has called local authorities for help, has so far failed to have the squatters removed. The squatters have described the restaurant as a “new squatted community space” and plan to open it regularly to visitors. The group justifies their occupation by highlighting the wealth disparities in Camden and the need to provide free food and space to the community.
Ramsay became attached to the property in 2007 when he leased it, and later faced financial losses related to the restaurant. Despite trying to get out of the lease in 2015, Ramsay lost the legal battle. The property was listed for sale in 2023 with a guide price of £13 million.
Ramsay’s hotel-restaurant sits by a busy junction near Regents Park in London. The property, once described as chic with 19th-century rooms designed by a British fashion designer, now appears derelict with partially boarded-up windows. Reports of squatters occupying high-value properties have surfaced in various cities, with legal battles and evictions being common themes.