Historic India Club Calls Last Orders In London

Nostalgic visitors who have been frequenting this little slice of India in central London, offering hot dosas and pakoras within a dwelling steeped in history, feel bereft at the loss.

The India Club in London, with its early roots in the Indian independence movement as a hub for nationalists and a home away from home for Indians in the country over the years, will close permanently on Sunday.

With its walls adorned with photographs of prominent Indians such as former prime ministers, the Club's founding member was Krishna Menon - who went on to become the first High Commissioner of independent India to the UK. As well as housing one of the UK's early Indian restaurants, India Club quickly transformed into a hub for a rapidly growing British South Asian community in the aftermath of Indian independence.

"We have been completely rushed off our feet since the public found out we were closing on September 17," said Phiroza Marker, the manager of the Club.