Squatters have occupied a pub owned by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay situated just outside Regent’s Park in London. The pub is currently up for sale with a guide price of £13 million, according to a report by UK-based news agency PA Media.
The report said that at least six squatters locked themselves inside the Grade II-listed York & Albany hotel and gastropub.
They have also put up a “legal warning” defending their takeover and boarded up the windows.
The squatters also ran away from reporters when approached for comment. They were masked and were wearing black tracksuits, the news agency said. One was spotted sleeping on a sofa in the bar with litter strewn around him.
They put up a notice on the door of the pub saying they had a right to occupy the venue. The piece of paper, signed by “The Occupiers”, also said: “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. 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,” the notice says.
“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,” the notice further added.
The celebrity chef tried to have the squatters removed earlier this week and called the police to intervene but was unable to do so.
The occupiers also urged passers-by for “food and clothes donations or anything else you no longer want or need”.
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”.
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