- Squatters take over York & Albany pub in Regent's Park
- A famous chef was about to sign a contract with a new partner when he arrived.
- The latest accounts show total outstanding lease payments at £6.7 million.
Gordon Ramsay may have to pay millions of pounds in rent after losing the buyer for one of his loss-making London pubs taken over by squatters, MailOnline can reveal.
A group of at least six squatters barricaded themselves in the Grade II-listed York and Albany Hotel and Gastropub in Regent's Park and announced earlier this month that they had set up a soup kitchen to feed the homeless. .
The group posted legal notices on the outside of the building and threatened action against anyone who tried to force them to leave. Ramsay was about to sign a multi-million pound lease when his new partner arrived.
The presence of squatters on the premises could lead to a long battle to remove them, with significant financial costs, as Mr Ramsay attempts to unload his loss-making pub. There is sex.
Companies House's latest accounts show that since opening in 2008, the venture has racked up losses totaling a staggering £15.3 million.
The Kitchen Nightmares star is still bound to a 25-year contract after unsuccessfully trying to be released from the contract during a High Court case in 2015.
After losing the legal battle and racking up losses, he put the lease on the historic pub up for sale in December last year for a suggested price of £13 million. I have nine and a half years left.
Gordon Ramsay (York & Albany) Limited's latest accounts filed with Companies House reveal that it has an outstanding lease payment of £3.2m due within the next three years.
The latest reports also show that the celebrity chef had a total of five years to make payments starting in 2022.
They have also indicated that a further £3.5m will need to be paid by the end of the lease.
The report said Ms Ramsay owed around £6.7m in rental dunning. You can see that some of this money is being paid.
In 2007, film director Gary Love purchased ownership of the 19th century coaching inn. He then leased the property to Mr Ramsay for an annual rent of £640,000.
Love has not yet commented on the current line of squatters. But when the York and Albany rental property went up for sale last year, it was reported that celebrities including artist Damien Hirst and Soho House founder Nick Jones were interested in buying the property. He said it was being considered.
In the UK, the unauthorized occupation of a person's non-resident property is not itself a crime, but police may take action if a subsequent crime occurs, such as property damage or theft.
According to government guidance, a squatter must occupy a property continuously for 10 years, act as the owner throughout that period, and have not previously been given permission by the owner to live there. You can apply to become the registered owner of the property.
Under UK property law, landlords are required to apply for a civil interim possession order (IPO) to force squatters from a property.
This is granted within 48 hours, but does not give the business owner full ownership of the property.
After IPO If permission is granted, a public hearing will be set up for the squatters to state whether they believe they have the right to occupy the land.
Civil cases are heard in county court, and if the court is satisfied with the business owner's rights to the property, the business owner will be granted a Summary Possession Order (SPO) giving the business owner full possession of the property.
A notice posted on the door said the group had the right to occupy the venue, but because the venue was not a “residential building,” it created a new crime of illegally occupying a residential building. It argued that it was not covered by the 2012 law.
The paper, signed by the 'occupier', also read: 'Please be aware that we occupy this premises and there is at least one person occupying it at all times. ”
“Accordingly, it is a crime to enter or attempt to enter these premises without our permission and any of us who are in physical possession of such premises are prohibited from entering or attempting to enter such premises without our permission. Because we are against trespassing.”
“If you attempt to enter using violence or the threat of violence, we will prosecute you.”
“You could be sentenced to up to six months in prison and/or fined up to £5,000.”
“If they want to evict us, that means they have to apply for possession in the county court or the high court.”
A group of squatters have set up the Camden Art Cafe in north London, which describes itself as a “self-governing” facility “dedicated to providing free food and creating space for the community”. Established. Six squatters are said to be involved.
A sign posted on the outside of the building reads: “In order to keep our free shop running, we welcome donations of food, clothing and other items you no longer need…knock or contact us on Instagram @camdenartcafe Please.” it says.
Photos have been released showing beer cans, along with pint glasses, strewn across the dusty floor since the squatters moved in.
Cigarettes, plugs, empty water bottles and wine glasses were also scattered around the premises.
A crutch believed to have belonged to one of the six squatters who entered the premises can also be seen.
Other photos taken before the windows were further boarded up showed squatters sleeping on sofas in the bar, surrounded by trash.
On Saturday morning, two masked squatters wearing black tracksuits and carrying backpacks and carrier bags exited the property and fled before they could be reached for comment.
Mr Ramsay called police on Wednesday, but it is understood they were unable to get the squatters removed.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Police discovered a squatter on the parkway in Regent's Park NW1 on Wednesday 10th April.”
“Police were not present at the scene as this is a civil matter.”
A representative for Mr. Ramsay has been contacted for comment.
