Simpson’s Tavern, one of Britain’s oldest restaurants and London’s oldest traditional chophouse, is fighting for its life after its landlord changed the locks in an apparent row over pandemic-induced rent arrears. The City institution, which opened in 1757 and serves breakfast and lunch in a Dickensian interior, has called on supporters to contribute to a defence fund to challenge the eviction. 

The Tavern posted: “For 265 years we have stood, undaunted by fire, flood, world wars, plague (or pandemic – you choose) and even Liz Truss’s premiership. Today though we have been forced into closure by the actions of a cynical landlord. Carelessly removing a centuries old City of London institution.”

Manager Benjamin Duggan said the landlords, Bermuda-based Tavor Holdings, were “utterly unwilling to engage. We are a solvent business, so we can pay down our debt with a reasonable horizon, which is what most landlords have responded to this issue.”

Contributions to the defence fund can be made via the Simpson’s Tavern website, simpsonstavern.co.uk.