Gordon Ramsay's $16M London Pub Invaded By At Least 6 Squatters As TV Chef Finalizes New Lease
Gordon Ramsay's pub in London was invaded by professional squatters.
A group of people allegedly occupied Ramsay's 10-room luxury hotel and pub in London without permission, The Sun reported Friday.
Per the outlet, at least six "professional squatters" invaded the property called York & Albany, which is reportedly up for sale for $16.1 million, and used the TV chef's kitchen appliances as a barricade so they could stay inside. They also allegedly glued the locks as part of the takeover.
The outlet obtained photos of the invasion, and one snap showed one squatter sleeping barefoot on a couch in the bar area. Another was seen scrolling his smartphone.
Other images showed the place littered with random items, including a pair of crutches, a Sainsbury's bag for life, empty water bottles, wine glasses, tobacco and plugs. There was also a blue sleeping bag dumped on another sofa.
A group of “𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬” have broken into and taken over celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s London pub and are threatening legal action to anyone that tries to evict them.
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) April 13, 2024
The six trespassing criminals broke into The York & Albany in Camden Town,… pic.twitter.com/yDnOH34MoJ
While covering the invasion, The Sun had a close encounter with one of the squatters donning a blue hoodie, a knee compression bandage and sliders. He had two black eyes and a cut above one.
"I'm under no obligation to speak to you. Have a good morning," the man told the outlet during the encounter.
He refused to give his name but asked for the reporter's name. His phone rang, and the reporter heard him talking to a woman who warned him not to speak to anyone. The man then started recording and hid at the back of the building.
"They're just trying to provoke me," he was heard telling the person on the other line.
When the man was told that he and the rest were staying in the pub illegally, he responded, "Is this strictly necessary?"
The squatters reportedly placed a bike lock on a metal gate leading to the hotel. They also put a legal notice on the front door and claimed they could stay there since it "is a non-residential building." They also alleged that the law preventing squatting did not apply to the establishment because it "was NOT designed or adapted, before the time of our entry, for use as a place to live."
"Take notice that we occupy this property, and at all times, there is at least one person in occupation," they warned. "That any entry or attempt to enter into these premises without our permission is, therefore, a criminal offense 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."
"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 group added.
The pub was temporarily closed for a handover as the TV chef was still finalizing a multi-million-pound lease to his new partners. According to one unnamed source, at least five men and one woman invaded the building amid the negotiations. Some crashed on the sofas, while others allegedly took over the bedrooms.
In response, Gordon reportedly called the police on Wednesday to help him secure an eviction notice. The whole ordeal was allegedly "an absolute nightmare" for the "MasterChef" star.
