Gordon Ramsay once said he doesn’t “run restaurants that are out of control” — but that’s apparently not the case at one of his London eateries.
A swarm of squatters have shacked up inside the celebrity chef’s $16.1 million pub — using Ramsay’s own kitchen appliances to barricade themselves inside, according to a report.
Shocking photographs taken by The Sun show the “professional squatters” holed up inside York & Albany pub, which the “Hell’s Kitchen” host was about to sign over to new partners in a multi-million dollar deal.
One person was seen barefoot and sprawled across on a black leather sofa inside the restaurant, with their personal belongings and debris, including empty wine bottles, strewn across the floor.
What appears to be a filthy plush dog toy is seen tossed on the floor near the swanky front bar that months earlier had been adorned with fresh flowers and pricey cocktails.
Another disheveled-looking man — sporting two black eyes, a massive hoodie, flip flops and athletic tape wrapped around his knee — was also seen walking around the exterior of the swanky pub.
“It’s an absolute nightmare scenario for poor Gordon,” a source told the UK outlet Thursday.
“The pub was temporarily closed while he was finalizing a new lease, and during this handover period, a gang of professional squatters somehow bypassed all the security and CCTV, and got themselves in.
“They’ve now boarded themselves in the building and are slowly taking over the place, leaving their crap everywhere and brazenly telling locals this is now their home.
“They’ve glued tight all the locks and are cooking up a storm in the kitchen, which is especially galling for Gordon.”
The insider said there are at least six “professional squatters” — five men and one woman — living inside the restaurant and its attached bedrooms.
“God knows the damage and filth,” said the source.
Ramsay has reportedly called police to obtain an eviction notice, “but it’s proving an absolute nightmare.”
The squatters themselves have threatened legal action against anyone that tries to force them out.
Calling themselves “The Occupiers,” the group slapped a notice on the front door claiming they are entitled to stay in the pub because it “is a non-residential building.”
“Take notice that we occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person in occupation,” the notice reads.
“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 ($6,200)”
The situation has left the notoriously foul-mouthed television chef “at the end of his tether.”
“Not surprisingly, a few choice words have been said,” the source told The Sun.
