August 27, 2023
2 mins read

India Club – a slice of history in heart of London closing down

Founded by Krishna Menon, India’s first High Commissioner, the place has been a hotspot for the Asian community in London, and has served Indian taste buds with popular dishes like butter chicken and masala dosa…reports Asian Lite News

The landmark India Club in London, founded in 1951 as a way of furthering Indo-British relations, following Independence, will shut down next month after losing a protracted battle against its closure.

Situated directly opposite the Indian High Commission and the BBC’s studios at Bush House, the club will shut its doors on September 17 after it was served a notice by the landlords to make way for putting up a luxury hotel, The Telegraph newspaper reported.

The restaurant, with independent India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as its founding member, attracted a cosmopolitan clientele of employees from India House, journalists, lawyers from the nearby Royal Courts of Justice and lecturers and students from King’s College.

Founded by Krishna Menon, India’s first High Commissioner, the place has been a hotspot for the Asian community in London, and has served Indian taste buds with popular dishes like butter chicken and masala dosa.

According to the Telegraph report, the lease was held by Yadgar Marker and his daughter Phiroza for the past 26 years, who described the eviction of the club as “heartbreaking”.

In 2018, an application by the premises freeholder Marston Properties to turn the place into “modern tourist accommodation” was rejected by Westminster Council, following a “Save India Club” petition signed by 26,000 people.

However, it was only a temporary reprieve.

Sharing a photograph with his sister at the club, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, whose father Chandran Tharoor was one of the founding members of the club, wrote on X: “I am sorry to hear that the India Club, London, is to close permanently in September. As the son of one of its founders, I lament the passing of an institution that served so many Indians (and not only Indians) for nearly three-quarters of a century.

“For many students, journalists, and travellers, it was a home away from home, offering simple and good quality Indian food at affordable prices as well as a convivial atmosphere to meet and maintain friendships.”

“It is very sad news indeed. India Club was a part of British Indian history hidden away on The Strand. Everyone’s a loser when such places close. London has changed so much demographically, sad when you see legacy fade with the advance of a new rationale,” the HinduCouncilUK, an advocacy group, said in a tweet.

ALSO READ-Indian High Commission in London Celebrates Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Triumph

Previous Story

BRICS strengthens position as global grouping

Next Story

India Day held in London to celebrate India’s 77th I-Day

Latest from -Top News

Bangladesh Elections on EU Radar

EU Pre-Election Team to Visit Bangladesh in September Ahead of 13th Parliamentary Polls…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh Election Commission’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced on Monday that a European Union (EU) pre-election

After Pakistan, China Backing Iran Too?

China and Iran signed a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement that covered trade, energy and security, showcasing the strategic value that Beijing places on Tehran….reports Asian Lite News Despite its long-standing claims of

US-India ties is a slow-motion catastrophe

For the first time in two decades, Trump’s actions, statements, and coercive tone have made relations with the US a combustible domestic political issue in India, writes Manoj Menon The post-globalisation uncertainty

Modi Welcomes Marcos Jr to Delhi

PM Modi Welcomes Philippines President Marcos Jr to Strengthen India-Philippines Ties…reports Asian Lite News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warmly welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr at Hyderabad House in

Is Bangladesh Turning Into a Theocratic State?

The rise of radical Islamic influence under Yunus’s watch threatens to transform Bangladesh from a secular democracy into a theocratic state….writes Anna Mahjar-Barducci Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus’s transition from economist
Go toTop

Don't Miss

BrahMos, Astra missiles give Indian Su-30s edge over other jets

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile can be launched from the

TN High court upholds 7.5% reservation for govt school students

Terming the judgement as historic, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.