Police secure former Marco Pierre White restaurant being used by squatters
Graffiti could be seen on the exterior of the building, which previously housed Mr White’s restaurant.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police have secured the site of a former restaurant owned by chef Marco Pierre White in central London after it was being used by squatters.
Westminster City Council said the Met “responded and dealt with the incident” at the premises in Leicester Square, despite the issue normally being a civil matter.
Officers on patrol in Westminster shortly after 1am on Sunday were stopped by members of the public reporting an unlicensed music event taking place in an empty building on the square, the force said.
The venue was cleared of people and secured, and one man was arrested on suspicion of carrying Class A and B drugs with intent to supply.
Graffiti could be seen on the exterior of the building, which previously housed Mr White’s steak and pizza restaurant, and some of its doors were padlocked shut on Wednesday.
The restaurant, which was ran by Black & White Hospitality, closed earlier this year after two years in operation.
A manager at the Jollibee restaurant next door told the PA news agency he had recently seen “homeless people” at the back of the premises “doing drugs”.
It comes after squatters took over the pub of another celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, near Regent’s Park last week.
The group locked themselves inside the Grade II-listed York & Albany hotel and gastropub, and set up an “autonomous cafe” inside, but said in a social media post they had been served legal papers to vacate the building.
Squatters continued to emerge from the pub on Wednesday despite the order, including to pick up deliveries and have drink outside whilst covering their head with a bag.
According to government guidance, squatters can apply to become the registered owners of a property if they have occupied it continuously for 10 years, acted as owners for the whole of that time and had not previously been given permission to live there by the owner.