Ramsay turns up heat on squatters at his pub, suing them for ‘trespass’
IT was once a go-to restaurant for discerning London foodies.
But Scots chef Gordon Ramsay has now had to serve legal papers in an attempt to evict a group of squatters who planned to serve up free food from one of his former gastropubs.
The group of around six ‘professional squatters’ took over the Grade II-listed York and Albany hotel and restaurant near Regent’s Park last week.
They locked themselves in and announced plans for a community hub called the Camden Art Cafe offering free food and coffee.
But now they have been forced to backtrack after being given notice of High Court legal proceedings by the Kitchen Nightmares star.
They had been planning to hold two events at the venue – which is currently on the market with a price tag of £13million – this week and had declared their commitment to ‘creating a space for the community’.
Their plans were cancelled after legal action on behalf of Gordon Ramsay Holdings International Limited was begun against ‘persons unknown’ for ‘trespass’.
The case was launched in a bid to secure ‘accelerated possession to reclaim control of the property’.
Yesterday the art cafe group posted on social media: ‘Apologies to everyone who was going to come along today. Papers served, cafe cancelled.’
Mr Ramsay, 57, had previously called police in an attempt to have the squatters removed but he was advised that it was not a criminal matter.
The York and Albany, bought by film director Gary Love in 2007, gained rave reviews for its food and accommodation, but in 2015 Mr Ramsay made an unsuccessful attempt to free himself from his 25-year lease in a legal battle at the High Court.
The squatters took advantage of it being empty by moving into the building and posting a series of defiant messages.
They wrote on social media: ‘Camden is a borough with one of the biggest wealth disparities in London, so it seems only fitting that £13million properties that most locals would never be able to afford to visit should be opened up to all.’