A group of squatters who have taken up residence in Gordon Ramsay’s £13million gastropub will turn it into a soup kitchen for the homeless.
Hosting a press conference outside the York and Albany hotel and gastropub in London, the squatters described the pub as “our house” and said that they were already hosting guests.
At least six people have locked themselves inside the Grade-11 listed building, boarding up the windows and threatening legal action against those who try to force them to leave.
The squatters have been there since last month, and people have been spotted leaving donations such as food and entertainment outside of the pub.
A group of squatters have taken over Gordon Ramsay's pub and are turning it into a soup kitchenPA/Getty/Instagram - Camden Art CafeA sign hung on the outside of the building reads: “We welcome food and clothes donations or anything else you no longer want or need so we can keep our freeshop going... Knock or contact us on Instagram @camdenartcafe.”
Two accounts on Instagram called the Camden Art Cafe and Autonomous Winter Shelter have posted about a “new squatted community space” at the pub.
“We are occupying this property under squatting law which is our right in this country,” Camden Art Cafe told The Telegraph.
“We run a free cafe for the community on Tuesdays and Thursdays although we hope to open more frequently.”
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10kg of potatoes were left by a donor outside the door
PA
“This is a civil matter between the occupiers and the landowner who we understand has also refused to comment on the matter... People will be welcomed again into our cafe on Tuesday, that is all.”
Camden Art Café later posted on social media to announce the opening of their soup kitchen: “The cafe's first day open! Come and visit every Tuesday and Thursday between 1pm and 4pm. There will always be free coffee, soup and impeccable vibes.”
It was signed off with the hashtag #SquatTheLot - a typical rallying call in squatting communities.
A donor was spotted leaving 10kg of new potatoes outside of the door of the pub in Regent’s Park and videos posted by the accounts show soup being made from inside the building.
The group have even reportedly moved in a cat.
Ramsay contacted the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday but was unable to have the squatters removed
PA
The squatters have taped a “legal warning” to the doors of the pub, which said the group had a right to occupy the pub, which they said was not a “residential building”. Therefore, they claim, they are not subject to 2012 legislation in England and Wales that made squatting in a residential building a criminal offence.
It read: “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.
“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.”
Ramsay contacted the Metropolitan Police on Wednesday but was unable to have the squatters removed from the gastropub near Regent’s Park.
The force said in a statement on April 10: “This is a civil matter and so police did not attend the property.”