Gordon Ramsay. Icon Sportswire/Getty ImagesSquatters are residing in one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants in London.The squatters hung a "legal warning" on the restaurant's window, arguing their right to remain.Local authorities told BI they're "aware" of the situation and will "take action when appropriate." Squatters have taken over one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants in London, saying they aim to create a "community space" for everyone in one of the city's wealthiest areas.At least six people are residing in York & Albany, an eatery in Camden Town, according to The Sun and BBC. York & Albany was temporarily closed while Ramsay, 57, finalized a new lease, The Sun reported.Gordon Ramsay's hotel and restaurant York & Albany on April 15, 2024, as squatters occupy it.Grace Dean/Business InsiderLondon's Metropolitan Police told Business Insider they "were made aware of squatters at a disused property" on April 10. It's unclear when the squatters first arrived. The news outlets reported that the group had locked themselves inside, boarded up the windows, and threatened legal action against anyone who attempted to remove them.Photo of York & Albany in London.Google MapsPhotos showed a "legal warning" taped to one of the restaurant's doors."Take notice that we occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person in occupation," the notice read. It added 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."The legal warning said the group would take legal action against those who "enter by violence" or "threaten to enter by violence."The notice read, "LASPO does NOT apply," referring to the 2012 Legal Aid, Sentencing, and Punishment Offenders Act. Under LASPO, occupying a non-residential building is not a crime.The squatters claim the law allows them to be there.A legal notice taped to the outside of York & Albany, Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and hotel in Camden, London, on April 15, 2024, as squatters occupy it.Grace Dean/Business InsiderRamsay called local authorities about the property but has so far failed to have the squatters removed, according to reports.Police told BI that this issue "is a civil matter and so police did not attend as an emergency call out."However, it said it was "in the process of identifying if any subsequent offences have occurred, and will take action where appropriate."Gordon Ramsay in April 2024.Stu Forster/Getty ImagesTwo Instagram accounts — Autonomous Winter Shelter and Camden Art Cafe — have described it as a "new squatted community space."In a statement posted on the Camden Art Cafe Instagram account, the group said that they plan to open the doors regularly to visitors.The group said that Camden is one of the areas in London with the biggest wealth disparities, "so it seems only fitting that £13 million properties that most locals would never be able to afford to visit should be opened up to all."A view of the front door of Gordon Ramsay restaurant York & Albany on April 15, 2024, as squatters occupy it.Grace Dean/Business Insider"At a time when Camden market has been bought out by a billionaire and many longstanding local businesses are being evicted from their units, it's even more important that we all band together in all the forms of resistance that we know and can," it added.Camden Art Cafe's Instagram appeared to share photos of the restaurant's interior."An autonomous cafe in the heart of Camden committed to providing free food and creating a space for the community," its bio read.Gordon Ramsay on "Kitchen Nightmares" in June 2023.FOX/Getty ImagesRamsay became attached to the property in 2007 when director Gary Love leased it to him on a 25-year term with a yearly rent of £640,000, or about $797,000, the outlets report.In 2014, Ramsay's restaurant empire announced an almost $8 million loss, attributing much of this to York & Albany and associated legal costs, trade outlet The Caterer reported at the time.Ramsay tried to get out of the lease in 2015 but lost the legal battle.The property was listed in late 2023 with a guide price of £13 million, or more than $16 million, according to media reports.A view of the entrance to Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and hotel York & Albany, London, as squatters occupy it on April 15, 2024.Grace Dean/Business InsiderThe hotel-restaurant, as it was, is located by a busy junction right next to Regents Park, a bustling tourist hot spot in London.A review in the Telegraph, published in 2020, described the hotel as a "chic" space with rooms designed by British fashion designer Russell Sage. The high-ceilinged, 19th-century rooms were decorated with contemporary pieces, the review said.When BI visited it simply looked like a derelict hotel on the outside, with the lights off and partially boarded-up windows.There was very little activity on the street, with only BI's reporter and one other person, another journalist attempting to speak to the squatters, outside.Signs announcing the occupation and the new "cafe" on-site were small, and it would have been easy to walk by without noticing.Two handwritten signs taped to the door of York & Albany, Gordon Ramsay's hotel restaurant in Camden, London, on April 14, 2024,Grace Dean/Business InsiderBI's reporter was eventually invited inside, but was not allowed to conduct interviews, record audio, or take pictures.An art workshop was underway, with a calm atmosphere as people got on with their pieces — themed around the local area. One participant went out to buy clay. People said the aim was to create a sense of community, talk through what they wanted to change locally, and have a creative hub.There was free food and drink, as well as free sanitary products.Representatives for Ramsay and York & Albany did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.Other stories about squatters have made headlines this year.In New York City, a couple has been unable to move into the $2 million home they purchased because of a squatter who refuses to vacate the property. The couple sued the squatter to evict him, but he countersued for harassment.Outlets also reported last month that squatters had lived in a Beverly Hills mansion for five months. The group was evicted but did not face any criminal charges.Read the original article on Business Insider
