Gordon Ramsay’s £13 million London pub, the York & Albany hotel and gastropub near Regent’s Park, has been taken over by squatters. The group has barricaded themselves inside the Grade II-listed property, which is currently up for sale. Despite Ramsay’s efforts to have them removed, the Metropolitan Police have declared it a civil matter, as the property is non-residential and thus, its occupation does not constitute a crime under UK law.

The squatters, numbering at least six, have installed barricades and issued a “legal warning” which claims they have the right to occupy the premises, citing legislative distinctions between squatting in residential and non-residential buildings. They have also posted notices threatening legal action against anyone attempting to enter without their permission, and are soliciting donations of food, clothes, and other items from passers-by.

This incident comes after Ramsay unsuccessfully attempted to free himself from the lease of the property in a legal dispute. The squatters have hinted at the possibility of applying to become the registered owners if they continuously occupy the property for 10 years, leveraging government guidelines on squatting.

This event has prompted attention and debate regarding property rights and squatting laws in the UK, impacting discussions over the challenges faced by property owners under such circumstances.