After squatters took over Gordon Ramsay's London pub, celebrity chef fights to take it back

Squatters overtook renowned Chef Gordan Ramsay's pub in London, but after being "served papers" the group has since vacated the property, according to a social media post.

The BBC reported that the group, which consists of at least six individuals, left Ramsay's pub a week after locking themselves inside the Grade II-listed York & Albany hotel in Camden Town. The group opened an "autonomous café in the heart of Camden" called the "Camden Art Café," according to an Instagram post shared by the collective.

The café did not last long, as the group announced Wednesday in a separate Instagram post that they had left the building.

"We are sad to announce Camden art collective have left the building after being served papers yesterday," the group's Instagram post said. "We wish those left in the building the best of luck in their endeavors. We hope to be a part of the community again soon, watch this space!"

Direct messages to the collective's Instagram account from USA TODAY were not responded to.

Gordon Ramsay's company secures High Court order for pub

The legal papers served to the collective came from Ramsay's company which obtained a High Court order to possess the pub, currently up for sale for €13 million, the Independent reported.

Lawyers for Gordon Ramsay Holdings International Limited (GRHI) told a judge during a hearing that the company had an “immediate right to possession” of the pub and requested an order to retake the property amid a “risk of public disturbance," the outlet said.

"The claimant says it has immediate right to possession. It says that the persons unknown who have entered the land have done so without its consent...," Timothy Foot, representing GRHI, told the Independent. "Had the claimant not brought and served proceedings then a so-called community cafe which was operated would have continued to operate..."

USA TODAY contacted Gordon Ramsay's company and reps on Thursday morning but did not receive a response.

Camden art collective taped notice on door claiming they occupied the pub legally

Before being served the papers, the collective taped a notice on the pub's door saying they had the right to occupy the space and weren't violating 2012 legislation that bans squatting in a residential building, the BBC reported.

The group's notice also said at least one person would always be occupying the pub, and any attempt to enter the cafe would be a criminal offense and result in prison time or a fine, according to the outlet. The collective indicated it would take significant legal action to make them leave the building.

"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," the note said, according to the BBC.

London Metropolitan Police did not confront squatters

When the London Metropolitan Police were contacted by multiple outlets last week, they said, “Police were made aware of squatters at a disused property in Parkway, Regent’s Park, NW1 on Wednesday, April 10."

"This is a civil matter and so police did not attend the property," the department said.

USA TODAY contacted the London Metropolitan Police on Thursday morning but did not hear back.

It is unclear how many members of the collective remain inside the pub.

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