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13th April 2024
05:05pm BST
A €15 million west London pub owned by Gordon Ramsay has been taken over by a group of squatters.
The Grade II-listed York & Albany hotel and gastropub situated next to Regents Park is currently up for sale, but a group of at least six squatters have made it their temporary home.
The invaders have posted a legal notice on the door of the pub which reads: "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."
It continues: "That if you attempt to enter by violence or by threatening violence we will prosecute you. You may receive a sentence of up to six months’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000.
"That if you want to get us out you will have to issue a claim for possession in the County Court or in the High Court."
According to The Sun, the squatters have been using the pub to set up a soup kitchen to feed the homeless.
Another sign, which is plastered on the outside of the building reads: 'We welcome food and clothes donations or anything else you no longer want or need so we can keep our freeshop going... Knock or contact us on Instagram @camdenartcafe.'
The squatters are availing of a loophole in the 2012 legislation which had created a new offence of squatting in a residential building. They claim that the TV chef's restaurant does not qualify as a 'residential building'.
Ramsay has not yet commented or issued a statement on the situation.
It is understood that he initially called the police when he learned of the invasion earlier this week, but was unable to have them removed.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: "Police were made aware of squatters at a disused property in Parkway, Regent’s Park, NW1 on Wednesday, 10 April.
"This is a civil matter and so police did not attend the property."
The only way police will be able to enforce action is it it becomes clear that the squatters have damaged the property or steal any items from the establishment.
Ramsay began leasing the property from film director Gary Love on a 25-year-term back in 2007, paying an annual rent of £640,000.
The 57-year-old unsuccessfully attempted to free himself from the lease in a legal battle at the High Court in 2015.
The property has been up for sale since late last year.
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