Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is facing a legal dispute over his London pub, the York & Albany, after a group of squatters took over the Grade II-listed establishment near Regent’s Park. The squatters, identifying as part of the Camden Art Cafe collective, aim to transform the pub into a community art space and café. They have been offering free food and drink and hosting events like “Paint ‘n’ Chinwag” sessions. This activity comes in the context of highlighting issues of gentrification and community displacement in Camden.

Ramsay, who has a lease on the property running through 2027, has enlisted his company, Gordon Ramsay Holdings International Limited, to initiate legal proceedings for accelerated possession to regain control of the £13 million site. Despite Ramsay’s efforts, including attempting to have the squatters removed by police, the Metropolitan Police have deemed it a civil matter, given that squatting in non-residential properties is not illegal in the UK unless associated with other crimes.

The pub has a complicated history, including previous legal disputes between Ramsay and the property’s freeholder, film director Gary Love. The property was listed for sale earlier, but has remained occupied by the squatters who refuse to leave and have even posted a notice asserting their legal stance.

This legal confrontation over the York and Albany highlights broader issues related to property rights and the use of urban spaces, with the High Court proceedings ongoing. The future of the pub remains uncertain as both sides await a resolution.