Squatters had taken over the huge square after it closed earlier this year, with up to 400 people reported to be living in the building having placed a notice on the building of their squatters’ rights.
A report in The Telegraph says that the building has now been secured by the police, with the squatters being evicted.
The squatting incident is the second to hit high-profile chefs’ venues in the capital in a matter of days. Last week Camden hotel and restaurant York & Albany, owned by Gordon Ramsay, a former mentor of Pierre White, was taken over by squatters that said they intended to turn the venue into a community hub.
In an Instagram post yesterday (16 April) the group, called Camden Art Café, said that papers had been served and that plans for the venue were no longer going ahead.
The Leicester Square restaurant was launched by Black & White Hospitality, which operates Marco Pierre White branded restaurants, in late 2021.
The 14,500sq ft venue traded as a ‘steak, pizza and gin house’ but closed in February this year.
