Revealed: Billionaire ‘ex-Russian spy’ bankrolled one of Britain’s most exclusive celebrity restaurants in the heart of Mayfair… and it’s called NOVIKOV
- Mayfair restaurant was developed with £10m co-investment from Alexey Chepa
- Billionaire Chepa, 63, is a Russian MP and rumoured former GRU agent
- Prince Harry, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and countless A-listers dine at plush eaterie
A top London celebrity restaurant, popular with the likes of Prince Harry, Sir Tom Jones and Rihanna, was developed with an investment from an ex-Russian spy, it has been claimed.
Mayfair eaterie Novikov – where guests can dine on £350 whole kid goat – was part funded by Alexey Chepa, who is a member of the Russian parliament and a key ally of president Vladimir Putin.
The 63-year-old is said to have been a former GRU spy and has become a fierce critic of Britain for blaming the attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal on Moscow.
Alexey Chepa, who is a member of the Russian parliament and suspected former GRU agent, invested £10m in swanky London restaurant Novikov
With steaks at £100, the Mayfair eaterie attracts mega-rich customers and A-list celebrities. Prince Harry and Rihanna have been pictured eating there in the past
Mr Skripal and his daughter were hospitalised following a nerve agent attack in Salisbury. On blaming Russia for the attack, Mr Chepa said: ‘The harder they try to intimidate us, the tougher our response will be.’
But Company House documents – seen by the Daily Express – reveal Mr Chepa bought a 45 per cent stake in Arkady Novikov’s company 10 years ago.
He and owner Arkady invested £10million into developing the plush diner off Berkley Square.
Business partners: Chepa purchased 45 per cent of the restaurant from owner Arkady Novikov (pictured with his wife)
The 540-seat Novikov restaurant in Mayfair has also welcomed the likes of Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, Anthony Joshua, Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane
The 540-seat restaurant has went on to become a hotspot for celebrity A-listers, with the likes of Prince Harry, Sir Tom Jones, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Will.i.am all eating there over the years.
Sports mega-stars like Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, Anthony Joshua, Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane frequent there too.
The swanky eaterie offers dishes including £350 whole kid goat, Wagyu sirloin steak for £109 and £100 California caviar.