A group of squatters who have taken over a Gordon Ramsay pub in London were served eviction papers, and they left the $16 million pub one week after the authorities learned about their activities.
Masked squatters
The mostly masked activists took over the pub. They put a notice on the front door stating that they had the right to occupy the venue, the celebrity chef’s York & Albany gastropub, as a nonresidential building, bypassing the law that bans squatting in residential buildings. Their self-styled Camden Art Cafe confirmed on Instagram they could not run the soup kitchen after being served the eviction papers.
Confusing Instagram post
The group said they left, but whether someone was still inside is unclear. The Instagram post implied so, further saying they hope to return to the area soon. The squatters brought board games and spray paint and were reportedly protesting victims of what they called gentrification projects, including high-speed railway HS2.
The group called themselves “Gordon”
According to the Independent, around 20 professional squatters called themselves “Gordon,” after the chef. According to social media posts, they aimed to provide free food and beverages and a space for art displays.
About HS2
The group is protesting HS2 (High Speed Two), a project to build a high-speed rail line in England. The project will connect Handsacre, in Staffordshire, with London and is planned to be completed between 2029 and 2033.
Choosing the chef’s pub
The squatters said they chose Ramsay’s $16 million pub in Camden since the York and Albany building is iconic, and everyone should be able to enjoy it. The post further talked about Camden Market’s takeover and local businesses that were evicted as a result.
Squatters barricaded themselves
According to the Sun, which broke the story, the brazen squatters used Ramsay’s own kitchen appliances and glue-shot the doors to barricade themselves. One source told the outlet it was a nightmare for the famed chef.
Taking over the pub
The $16 million pub was waiting for a new lease when these professional squatters bypassed cameras and security and made themselves at home. British outlets caught images inside the pub, showing the place in disarray.
Squatters’ threats
After taking over the pub, the squatters threatened legal action against anyone trying to evict them. They cited that they had taken over a nonresidential building. According to the law, squatting is illegal only in residential properties.
The police did not say much
Law enforcement called the whole situation a civil matter that must be dealt with in court. The Sun’s sources say Ramsay started working on eviction papers as soon as he learned about the squatters, adding that it was a challenging task.
Initial reports
The BBC reported on April 13 that six people entered the Central London pub and Camden Art Cafe, which they occupied two days later. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they knew about the situation.
Online images
The squatters posted photos of themselves, their pets, and some of the food the self-styled community kitchen had prepared. Some wore masks, but others showed their faces. At least one dog and one cat were spotted inside.
Ramsey’s previous headache
The famed chef tried to terminate the lease in 2015 after signing a 25-year deal in 2008. Ramsay claimed his father-in-law, then CEO of his company Gordon Ramsay Holdings, had used a ghostwriter machine to sign his name on a document that made him liable for the rent, but the famed chef lost the case.
Related posts:
Kate Smith, a self-proclaimed word nerd who relishes the power of language to inform, entertain, and inspire. Kate's passion for sharing knowledge and sparking meaningful conversations fuels her every word.