Gordon Ramsay faces real Kitchen Nightmare to sell his £13m London pub after squatters took it over and claimed they are turning it into soup kitchen for the homeless

Gordon Ramsay could face losing buyers and having to pay a multi-million-pound rent bill on one of his loss-making London pubs after it was taken over by squatters, MailOnline can reveal.

A group of at least six squatters locked themselves inside the Grade II-listed York & Albany hotel and gastropub in Regent's Park and said they were setting up a soup kitchen to feed the homeless earlier this month. 

The group have put a legal notice on the outside of the building, threatening action against anyone who tries to force them out. Ramsay was about to sign over a multi-million pound lease to new partners when they arrived. 

With squatters in the property, a lengthy battle could occur to remove the individuals at a significant financial cost as Ramsay attempts to offload the loss-making pub.

Since opening in 2008, the venture has racked up losses totalling a staggering £15.5 million, according to the latest Companies House accounts. 

The Kitchen Nightmares star currently remains bound by the 25-year lease after he unsuccessfully attempted to free himself from it during a High Court case in 2015.

After losing the case and with losses continuing to build, he put the lease for the historic pub on the market with a guide price of £13 million in December last year. There are nine and a half years remaining on it. 

The latest accounts filed to Companies House for Gordon Ramsay (York and Albany) Limited reveals £3.2 million is owed in lease payments which are due within the next three years.

The latest accounts also show the celebrity chef had a total deadline of five years to pay the money, which started in 2022.

They also show a further £3.5 million is due before the end of the lease.

The accounts say that Ramsay owes around £6.7 million for the reminder of the lease. It is understood that some of this money has been paid. 

In 2007, film director Gary Love bought the freehold of the former nineteenth century coaching inn. He subsequently leased the property to Mr Ramsay with an annual rent of £640,000.

Mr Love hasn't yet commented on the current squatter row. However, speaking last year when the York and Albany lease went on the market, he said big names including artist Damien Hirst and Soho House founder Nick Jones were believed to be interested in buying the property. 

The occupation of a person's non-residential property without their permission is not itself a crime in the UK, though police can take action if crimes are subsequently committed, including damaging the property or stealing from it. 

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.

Under UK property law, a landlord would have to apply for a civil Interim Possession Order (IPO) to force the squatters out of the property. 

This can be granted within 48 hours however doesn't give the business owner full possession of the property. 

After an IPO has been granted, a hearing will be set in which the squatters may attend to state whether they believe they are entitled to occupy the property. 

The civil case would be heard in the County Court and if the court is satisfied with the business owners entitlement to the property, they will grant a Summary Possession Order (SPO) which would give them full possession of their property. 

A notice taped to a door said the group had a right to occupy the venue, which they said was not a 'residential building' and was therefore not subject to 2012 legislation which had created a new offence of squatting in a residential building.

The piece of paper, signed by 'The Occupiers', also said: 'Take notice that we occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person in occupation.

'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.

'That if you attempt to enter by violence or by threatening violence we will prosecute you.

'You may receive a sentence of up to six months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000.

'That 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 group of squatters have set up Camden Art Cafe which describes itself as an 'autonomous' establishment in north London that is 'commited (sic) to providing free food and creating a space for the community'. Six squatters are said to be involved.

A sign plastered on the outside of the building reads: 'We welcome food and clothes donations or anything else you no longer want or need so we can keep our freeshop going... Knock or contact us on Instagram @camdenartcafe.' 

Since the squatters have moved in, pictures have emerged showing beer cans strewn on the dusty floor along with pint glasses. 

The premises was also littered with items including tobacco, plugs, empty water bottles and wine glasses. 

A pair of crutches, understood to be owned by one of the six squatters who entered the property, can also be seen. 

In other photographs taken before the windows had been further boarded up, a squatter could be seen sleeping on a sofa in the bar, surrounded by litter. 

On Saturday morning, two masked squatters wearing black tracksuits and carrying backpacks and carrier bags exited the property, running away before they could be approached for comment.

Ramsay called the police on Wednesday but was unable to have the squatters removed, it is understood.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: 'Police were made aware of squatters at a disused property in Parkway, Regent's Park, NW1 on Wednesday, 10 April.

'This is a civil matter and so police did not attend the property.'

Ramsay's representatives have been approached for comment.