Cambridge’s famous kebab shop, The Gardenia Restaurant, more commonly known as Gardies, is facing dissolution.

According to Companies House, the shop’s accounts are currently overdue.

Gardies’ accounts up to 30 June 2024 were due at the end of March, but were not submitted.

The company is currently facing an “active proposal to strike off”. This occurs when a company is facing dissolution and will be removed from the Companies House register, ultimately ceasing to exist as a legal entity.

An “active proposal to strike off” can refer either to a compulsory strike-off issued by Companies House, or a voluntary decision made by the company’s directors to dissolve the business.

Gardies has been closed for approximately a month. Its last Instagram post was on 21/04.

The store is known for its late-night kebab offerings and its wall of fame, which is covered in photos.  

In 2004, Gardies was spared closure after Gonville and Caius College announced plans to redevelop the building into student accommodation. Supporters of Gardies voiced opposition to the closure, with Varsity being a leading voice in the campaign to keep Gardies open.

Campaigners claimed that 8,000 people had signed a petition to prevent the kebab shop closure, with Michael Portillo and Stephen Fry among the signatories.

After news emerged that Gardies would remain open, then-Varsity editor Archie Bland said: “We are delighted that Gardies has been saved and we think it is a great day for students at the university and that our campaigning was such a resounding success,” according to the BBC.

Gardenia’s owner, Vassilus Anastasiou, noted that there was “a lot of support from the students and the local community,” adding that he was “overwhelmed with the interest from people”.

In 2022, the Gardies Instagram page was hacked. Followers of the account received messages appearing to encourage them to buy cryptocurrency. The event was described by Gardies as “very upsetting,” given the “hours invested” and the efforts made by the kebab shop to “keep connected with the student population”.

Gardies was contacted for comment.