The India Club on the Strand in Central London has announced plans to permanently close next month, after over seven decades of trading.

The decision to close the restaurant comes after a “long-running battle” to keep it open, several media reports claimed.

According to a report by The Telegraph India, proprietor Yadgar Marker and his daughter, general manager Phiroza Marker currently have the lease of the Club premises at 143-145 The Strand in Westminster City.

“It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the closure of the India Club, with our last day open to the public on September 17,” the family told The Telegraph India.

Phiroza was also quoted as saying: “We have run the place for 26 years. I have been helping here since the age of 10. This is heart-breaking.”

Another report by the Evening Standard said that the India Club is expected to be converted into a new luxury hotel.

The report said that the restaurant’s fight for survival came into light in 2017, when freeholders Marston Properties revealed its plans to submit a planning application with the Westminster Council for developing a six-storey building and a new tourist accommodation.

The application was also opposed by over 10,000 Londoners.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the Club, which is located on the first floor of a 26-room Strand Continental Hotel, was opened in 1951 by India's first high commissioner to the UK Krishna Menon.

Lady Mountbatten and India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were among the founding members of the Club.

The restaurant, which is linked to the India League and fight for India’s freedom, once provided a space for the Indian Socialist Group of Britain, Indian Journalist Association, Indian Workers Association as well as other community organisations to gather and share their ideas, The Caterer’s report said.