Why are celebrity chefs falling prey to a scourge of squatters? Blame landlords
Evening Standard|April 18, 2024
STAFFING woes. No-shows.Giles Coren.
David Ellis
Why are celebrity chefs falling prey to a scourge of squatters? Blame landlords

Thought restaurants had it hard already? You ain't seen nothin' yet. Chefs' newest nemesis are squatters.

From the middle of last week, Gordon Ramsay's Camden pub, the York & Albany, was occupied by a group of them, who took to Instagram with plans to open a community café "for victims of gentrification". A soup kitchen may have been in the works. Ramsay put paid to all that on Tuesday, obtaining a claim for possession from the courts.

With that drama deflated, a few hours later, Marco Pierre White's deservedly short-lived Leicester Square restaurant Mr White's (shut since February) had similar treatment. Padlocks were slung on the doors and a sign went up wittering about occupier's rights, neither of which stopped the police securing the building yesterday afternoon. But you get the idea if your heyday was the Nineties and you own a restaurant, these are harrowing times. Has anyone checked on Antony Worrall Thompson?

This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 18, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM EVENING STANDARDView All
ARCHER’S BACK FOR WORLD T20 DEFENCE
Evening Standard

ARCHER’S BACK FOR WORLD T20 DEFENCE

ACEMAN IN PROVISIONAL SQUAD AFTER LONG SPELL ON SIDELINES  | DUCKETT, JORDAN, HARTLEY IN... BUT WOAKÉS AND AHMED MISS OUT

time-read
2 mins  |
April 30, 2024
Clock ticking for Maddison to rediscover magic touch and secure place at Finals
Evening Standard

Clock ticking for Maddison to rediscover magic touch and secure place at Finals

TOTTENHAM'S north London derby defeat was another frustrating outing for James Maddison, who was withdrawn shortly after the hour-mark with his side trailing 3-0.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 30, 2024
Martinelli must work out a new way or face bench role
Evening Standard

Martinelli must work out a new way or face bench role

Brazilian sparkled last term but now faces threat from Trossard

time-read
2 mins  |
April 30, 2024
Nationwide boss sold £150,000 of Virgin Money shares before bid launch
Evening Standard

Nationwide boss sold £150,000 of Virgin Money shares before bid launch

NATIONWIDE Building Society chief executive Debbie Crosbie sold £150,000 worth of shares in Virgin Money before she launched a £2.9 billion takeover bid for the business in March.

time-read
1 min  |
April 30, 2024
Quinn shocks City with surprise HSBC departure
Evening Standard

Quinn shocks City with surprise HSBC departure

HSBC was thrown into turmoil today when its £10 million-a-year CEO suddenly revealed he would retire at the age of 62 in order to get “a better balance” in his life.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 30, 2024
God knows I have my reservations, but despite them all, I'll vote for Sadiq
Evening Standard

God knows I have my reservations, but despite them all, I'll vote for Sadiq

IT’S tough living in London these days. Knife crime is completely out of control, rents have skyrocketed, shoplifting has somehow been normalised, council tax is higher than ever and confidence in the Met is at a record low.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 30, 2024
Western aid may be too late for brave Ukraine
Evening Standard

Western aid may be too late for brave Ukraine

THESE are desperate and difficult days in Ukraine as Russian forces seize more villages in what looks like the beginning of a major summer offensive.

time-read
1 min  |
April 30, 2024
Khan is out to scare you into voting for him...
Evening Standard

Khan is out to scare you into voting for him...

London’s green candidate for mayor tells Ross Lydall the Tory campaign seems to have thrown in the towel

time-read
3 mins  |
April 30, 2024
Visit Ljubljana for a city escape a little less ordinary
Evening Standard

Visit Ljubljana for a city escape a little less ordinary

The Slovenian capital is stunning, and a short break should give you plenty of time to immerse yourself in its history, culture and great cuisine

time-read
2 mins  |
April 30, 2024
PM warns of 'chilling effects' of - our cancel culture
Evening Standard

PM warns of 'chilling effects' of - our cancel culture

RISHI SUNAK today warned that our democratic freedoms rely on tackling “the chilling effect of so-called cancel culture”. The Prime Minister was expected to say that “the shutting down people’s views” is “not what this country stands for”.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 30, 2024