The renowned Dogstar pub in Brixton has been occupied by squatters just days after it closed its doors.
Dogstar was plunged into administration in July and had been only opening on weekends but the shutters same down for the last time last week.
However, squatters are now occupying the building and they have placed a legal notice in the window warning that they can only be removed if the owners obtain a county court order.
The Dogstar in Coldharbour Lane is the latest in a series of venues across London that have been occupied after they were vacated, with squatters acting within their legal rights to target commercial properties.
The squatters have put a sign in the window warning that they cannot be removed without a court order and have employed identical tactics with other high profile buildings.
Gordon Ramsay’s former pub the York and Albany near Regent’s Park was occupied for at least a week before the owners were granted a high court order to remove the squatters in April.
Lawyers for Mr Ramsay's company secured a High Court order for the premises.
Marco Pierre White’s former steak house in Leicester Square was occupied with squatters also turfed out in April.
Squatters also took over the San Lorenzo restaurant site in Knightsbridge, which was once a favourite spot of Princess Diana.
The restaurant on Beauchamp Place closed at the start of the pandemic and a group of up to 15 squatters occupied the building in June.
The eaterie had been used by celebrities for six decades and, after the death of the owner, the family are reportedly looking to sell the building which is only 100 metres from legendary department store Harrods.
The government made the squatting of residential buildings illegal in 2012 but it is not illegal to take over commercial properties. The squatters must ensure they do not cause criminal damage on the properties.
Antic London, the operator of Dogstar Brixton, went into administration in July 2024, threatening the future of 13 pubs in south London.
While Urban Pubs & Bars bought 11 of Antic’s pub sites, including the Antelope, Balham Bowls Club, the East Dulwich Tavern, the Elephant & Castle, the Red Lion and the Sun of Camberwell, the Dogstar was not included.
The Tooting Tram and Social and Coopers in Crystal Palace was also not included in the deal.
Administrators had sought to sell the pubs, with Steve Absolom and Will Wright from Interpath Advisory, who were appointed joint administrators, telling The Caterer: “This is an eclectic collection of well-known and popular pubs and bars located in prime sites across south London.
“The sites are expected to continue to trade as usual with the support of specialist trading agents at Licensed Solutions.
“We intend to bring these units to market in due course, representing a fantastic opportunity for investors and trade purchasers alike.”
The Dogstar operated for many years as the Atlantic, before closing sometime around 1994 and then later reopening under Antic’s control.
