Squatters leave Gordon Ramsay pub after being evicted
A group of squatters have left a Gordon Ramsay pub after lawyers secured a High Court order for the possession of the premises.
At least six “professional squatters” entered Ramsay’s York and Albany pub, on the edge of Regent’s Park, early last week.
In a statement on Thursday a spokesperson for the group, which said it was the Anarchist Association London Branch, vowed they would leave within 24 hours.
The statement, which referred to Ramsay as “the foul-mouthed chef”, said: “This swanky building has been left empty for years, even though Camden has some of the worst levels of rough sleeping in the country.
“Some of these rough sleepers decided to take their right to housing into their own hands.”
It added: “If people are not allowed to survive, they will take action to do so. All evictions are violence. But that won’t stop us from squatting and we hope our actions will inspire others to take back control of their lives.”
The group had earlier declared that they intended the pub to be used as an arts venue and community cafe named the Camden Art Cafe, adding their doors were open to anyone - “particularly the people of Camden who have been victims of gentrification and parasitic projects like HS2”.
Ramsay called the police last Wednesday in a bid to have the squatters removed, but Met officers refused to attend due to the occupation being a “civil matter”.
High Court proceedings were filed by Gordon Ramsay Holdings International Limited against “persons unknown”.
The celebrity chef hired top lawyers at Harbottle and Lewis to bring the High Court action.
On Thursday lawyers for Gordon Ramsay Holdings International Limited (GRHI) told a judge it had an “immediate right to possession” of the pub and asked for an order to retake the property amid a “risk of public disturbance”.
Responding to the news in their statement on Thursday, the squatters added: “The fact that the chef was able to obtain the order that quickly shows that the legal system is designed for the rich. It has nothing to do with justice.
“Laws won’t help us, politicians won’t help us. They only serve the wealthy and powerful.
“Only we can help ourselves. If people are not allowed to survive, they will take action to do so. All evictions are violence. But that won’t stop us from squatting and we hope our actions will inspire others to take back control of their lives.”
The venue went on sale at the end of last year with a guide price of £13million.
