For over two decades, Meeting Palace has been part of Wealdstone High Street, serving customers from Harrow and beyond while adapting to major changes in the area around it.
Behind the restaurant is manager Leyon Rajakumar, who moved to the UK from Sri Lanka 35 years ago and built a career in accountancy before developing a passion for the restaurant trade.
Now, after Meeting Palace recently received the highest possible five-star food hygiene rating from Harrow Council, Leyon has spoken to Harrow Online about how the business began, the changes he has witnessed in Wealdstone and why he remains determined to keep the restaurant going.
From accountancy to the restaurant trade
Leyon continued his studies after arriving in the UK and qualified as an accountant.
He settled locally, with his wife working at a nearby hospital and his children growing up and attending school in the area.
His introduction to the restaurant industry came through family members who operated a restaurant in Southall.
Leyon said: “Family members owned a restaurant business in Southall at the time, and I was helping them on the admin and finance side of the business. During this period, I developed a passion for the restaurant and catering trade and have operated this alongside my accountancy work ever since.”
Why Wealdstone?
The opportunity to establish Meeting Palace came when the family found premises on Wealdstone High Street in 2004.
Leyon remembers a very different High Street to the one residents see today.
At the time, he said, Wealdstone had five banks as well as Woolworths, clothing shops, offices and a number of pubs. Workers from places including Harrow Council and the Kodak factory also regularly used the town centre.
But he felt there was something missing.
“Wealdstone at the time was a thriving local high street but didn’t have much in the way of fine dining establishments – Wimpy and McDonalds were the main attractions!” he said.
The existing business was purchased in 2004 before the restaurant was completely renovated.
Meeting Palace officially opened under its current name in May 2006.
A very different High Street
Leyon remembers the early years as some of the busiest the restaurant has experienced.
“Wealdstone High Street was an absolute goldmine, and the restaurant was busy throughout the day and night,” he said.
Its location close to Harrow & Wealdstone station helped bring customers from other parts of London, while Leyon said parking was much easier to find at the time.
The restaurant also benefited from Wealdstone’s nightlife.
Leyon added: “We also catered for a lot of late-night business from the local residents who came for a curry night after a few pints. It was a very pleasant and safe area and we never experienced any problems during that time.”
Changes in Wealdstone
Asked how the area has changed during his time in business, Leyon’s answer was straightforward: “Not for the better!”
He said the decline of major employers and familiar High Street names had reduced footfall, pointing to the closure of the Kodak factory, banks, shops and pubs over the years.
He also believes changes to roads, parking and perceptions of safety have affected the number of people willing to visit the High Street, particularly in the evenings.
Leyon said: “As someone who has been a part of the community for so long it is heartbreaking to watch how the area has been neglected so much. With the railway station offering such a fast connection to Central London and all the newly built flats it should be a vibrant area with a thriving and affluent High Street.”
He is particularly concerned about parking, saying reduced opening hours at Peel House car park and parking enforcement have made things more difficult for evening and weekend customers.
Adapting to survive
As traditional restaurant trade declined, Meeting Palace began focusing more heavily on events and outside catering.
The business now caters for birthdays, weddings, christenings and funerals, while also working with catering companies and London hotels.
Leyon said repeat customers and recommendations have become an important part of the business.
“Quality is paramount to us and we will never compromise on that,” he said. “Much of our business as a result comes from repeat bookings or from people who have been guests at events we have catered and have so enjoyed our cuisine.”
Meeting Palace has also expanded into takeaway and delivery services and accepts private parties and large group bookings.
But for Leyon, having customers inside the restaurant remains the heart of the business.
“The business has adapted over the years but there still remains nothing better than to welcome guests – new and old – into our own restaurant.”
Looking back after 20 years
Leyon said simply surviving and adapting over the last two decades is one of his proudest achievements.
He said Meeting Palace won Best Sri Lankan Restaurant at the London Curry Awards in 2019 and received a Highly Recommended award in 2022, but added that customer feedback still matters most.
“No matter how big or small it is at moments like these that I know we have achieved our purpose.”
He hopes Meeting Palace will remain part of Wealdstone for many years to come, with new dishes and ideas continuing to be introduced.
And despite spending nearly 20 years running a restaurant, Leyon has continued with his original career at the same time.
He joked: “I am very lucky to have spent so many years enjoying living my passion, and am very lucky to have a very understanding boss in my accountancy job who always agrees my short notice leave requests!”
Leyon also credited his staff, landlord and family for helping the business through its more difficult periods.
“Overall we couldn’t have achieved any of this without my wonderful, supportive and understanding family. They have been every bit as part of the Meeting Palace journey and we hope it continues for a long time yet.”
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Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
