Gaby’s Deli appears set to close after the owner announced he would retire.

The kosher-style deli, which has served falafel and salt beef to West End crowds for nearly 50 years, was set up by Baghdad-born, Jewish caterer Gaby Elyahou in 1965.

Today a spokesperson for the restaurant rejected rumours the well-loved eaterie was in danger of closing over rising rents and the offer of a short lease.

"Gaby is 83 and can't do it any more. We tried to find someone else to take it on but we couldn't."

A campaign that was set up to save the deli from a similar closure in 2011 had this week inaccurately suggested it was closing because of unaffordable rent.

Many responded with sadness at the news that the deli was in danger of closing.

Joshua Leon wrote on Twitter: “I love this deli! It is a heart and soul of central London and a quiet respite from everything.

“Don’t let another super chain with bundles of cash ruin the area when great food and great love already exists.”

William Bevan wrote: “How depressing. This would be a disaster, marking the end of one of theatreland's most distinctive cafés. And for what - another chain sandwich shop?”

In 2011 developers threatened the restaurant’s future and a campaign saved it from closing.

Actor Henry Goodman and political satirist Alistair Beaton were involved in drumming up support for the Charing Cross Road landmark.

The campaign was successful in warning off redevelopers Gascoyne Holdings who had planning permission to evict Gaby's to make way for a restaurant chain outlet.

At the time director Mike Leigh and actresses Vanessa Redgrave and Miriam Margolyes were among other celebrity supporters.  More than 4,600 people signed a petition to save Gaby's. Mr Leigh said Gaby's was "unique and special. To allow it to be destroyed would be deeply irresponsible."