Squatters who have taken over Gordon Ramsay’s Regent’s Park pub say they are setting up a soup kitchen to feed the homeless.
Camden Art Cafe describes itself as a “self-contained” establishment in North London that is “committed (sic) to providing free food and creating a space for the community.” Six squatters are said to be involved.
Donors have been handing over supplies of raw materials, including 10kg of potatoes, since the radical group moved into the York & Albany pub earlier this month while it was closed during a negotiation to hand over the lease to new partners.
But locals who spoke to MailOnline this morning criticized the activists, saying the occupation of Ramsay’s pub, which is said to be breaking no laws, amounts to “legalized robbery”.
And Ramsay himself is said to be incandescent with rage, calling the police in an attempt to remove the squatters. But police say he cannot intervene because this is a “civil matter.”
Gordon Ramsay’s pub, the York & Albany, has been taken over by a radical activist group who say they are turning it into a soup kitchen.
Ramsay is reportedly furious after the pub was taken over just a month after he is said to have closed it while he renegotiated the lease.
The squatters shared images of the interior of the pub, including dogs (left) and some of the food prepared (right) in the self-proclaimed community kitchen.
Board games and a clothes rack were seen set up in another area of the pub, which is said to have closed a month ago.
A chess game with wooden figures was installed in the back, with jugs of water and boxes of food in the background.
Local post office worker Colin J told MailOnline the occupation amounted to “legalized robbery”.
A sign taped to the outside of the building reads: “We welcome donations of food and clothing or anything else you no longer want or need so we can keep our store free… Call or contact us on Instagram @camdenartcafe.”
Boards were placed over the windows to prevent onlookers from seeing inside, and “legal notices” were posted stating that the pub is not subject to anti-squatting laws as it is not a residential property.
The group also claims that anyone who tries to remove them could face a fine of up to £5,000 and six months in jail, and Ramsay is alleged to be breaking the law if he tries to enter his own pub.
Camden Art Cafe’s unwanted occupation of the building has sparked fury among locals and Ramsay himself, who is said to have sought police intervention.
Colin J, 56, who works at a nearby post office, told MailOnline: “What’s the point of working hard to earn a living and contribute to society when people like this can come onto your property and take over she?
‘It is legalized theft. The government has failed working people by not closing loopholes that allow squatters to act with impunity.
‘It just doesn’t seem right. They are using the law for their own benefit. The law should work for working people.”
The squatters are part of a collective group calling themselves Camden Art Cafe. It seems that they have acted quickly: according to Camra WhatPub Guidethe York & Albany closed its doors last month.
Those behind the occupation created an Instagram account for their activities this month and began posting on April 10, when they announced they had opened “a new occupied community space in Camden.”
The first post was deleted from the account on Saturday morning. MailOnline has attempted to contact the group for comment.
A second post, made a day later, read: ‘The cafe’s first day of opening! Come visit us every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m. There will always be free coffee, soup and impeccable vibes.”
It was signed with the hashtag #SquatTheLot, a common call in squatter communities to take possession of private property.
But two masked squatters, dressed in black tracksuits and carrying backpacks, fled from journalists before they could be approached for comment on Saturday.
An anonymous donor has left 10 kilos of new potatoes at the door of the three-storey pub adjacent to London’s Regent’s Park. The squatters have even moved in a cat.
Videos shared on the page showed soup being prepared and several dogs lazing around inside.
Crutches, a vital bag, tobacco, earplugs, empty water bottles and a sleeping bag were scattered inside.
A piece of paper signed by ‘The Occupiers’ and taped to the window read: ‘Please note that we occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person occupied.
‘That any entry or attempt to enter these premises without our permission is therefore a criminal offence, as any of us in physical possession opposes such entry without our permission.
‘If you try to enter with violence or threatening violence we will prosecute you. You can receive a sentence of up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £5,000.
“If you want to get us out you will have to file a possession suit in the County Court or the Superior Court.”
The squatters have put up a sign asking for donations to keep what they describe as a ‘freeshop’ going.
Donors have left boxes of potatoes outside the building to supply food to the squatters.
Two masked squatters fled from journalists on Saturday after they were approached for comment.
The interior of the York & Albany pub when it was still open, showing its cozy seating and luxurious fittings.
But the pub is now a shadow of its former self: squatters drag furniture around as they please and leave personal belongings scattered on the floor.
Occupation of a person’s non-residential property without their permission is not in itself a crime in the UK, although police can take action if offenses are subsequently committed, including damaging the property or stealing it.
Under government guidelines, squatters can apply to become registered owners of a property if they have occupied it continuously for 10 years, have acted as owners during that time and have not previously been given permission to live there.
Ramsay was reported by Sun seek an eviction order against the squatters, who moved out while he was renegotiating the terms of his lease.
A source said: “The pub was temporarily closed while he was finalizing a new lease, and during this handover period a gang of professional squatters somehow bypassed all security and CCTV, and broke in.
“Now they have locked themselves in the building and are slowly taking over the place, leaving their shit everywhere and blatantly telling the locals that this is now their home.”
‘Some crash on the sofas, but others have taken over the nice bedrooms. God knows the damage and the dirt.
Ramsay’s representatives declined to comment, saying the matter was being “handled legally.”
The building’s occupants refused to speak to a Sun journalist.
The Sun reported that a note on the door of the pub (pictured) insists they can stay there as it is a “non-residential building”.
The images show the group of ‘six professional squatters’ sleeping inside the building, and they have even placed a sign on the door threatening to take legal action against anyone who approaches.
Film director and actor Gary Love is reported to have purchased the freehold of the derelict former inn from the Crown Estate in 2007.
Ramsay then began leasing the property in 2009, turning it into a boutique hotel and gastropub restaurant, but unsuccessfully attempted to back out of the lease in 2015.
The restaurant has had problems on TripAdvisor. In 2020, a scathing review appeared on the site, criticizing what it claimed was a small steak and “overly salty” chips for £23.
The one-star review was titled “Gordon is no Heston”, in reference to his rival Heston Blumenthal.
The Mail On Sunday reported in 2020 that the pub had racked up losses totaling £15 million since opening in 2008.
Records also reveal that the establishment suffered losses of more than £550,000 in just one year, up to the end of August 2019.
The Metropolitan Police told MailOnline: ‘Police were informed of squatters at a disused property on Parkway, Regent’s Park, NW1 on Wednesday 10 April.
“This is a civil matter and that is why the police did not respond to the property.”