News
The Duchess visits Quintessentially Soho
17th December 2009
The Duchess of Cornwall gave her seal of approval today to a unique charity members club set up in an historic house.
Rooms in an 18th Century building have been transformed into a restaurant and bar areas in aid of an organisation helping London's homeless.
The Duchess’s nephew Ben Elliot has set up Quintessentially Soho, the not-for-profit lounge, in the House of St Barnabas, which has been working with rough sleepers for more than 160 years.
The businessman is co-founder of Quintessentially, the luxury concierge service, and launched the temporary club in September after being intrigued by the historic house and discovering the charity inside after knocking on its door.
The Duchess was taken on a tour of the club set up in a series of ground and first-floor rooms that have been transformed from a shabby state into sumptuous social areas after more than £2 million in furniture, fittings and decorations was donated.
Members who have paid £100 each to use the lounge were sat in leather armchairs as The Duchess was given a tour by her nephew.
In almost three months £300,000 has been raised which will be split between St Barnabas and Quintessentially's own charitable work.
St Barnabas runs a life skills programme for homeless people some of whom are now gaining experience working in the new club which was due to close at the end of the year but has been extended to the Spring due to its success.
The Duchess met sponsors of the project, which included Dom Perignon and she received a rose bottle of champagne as an early Christmas present.
Her Royal Highness spent a few minutes in a tiny Anglican chapel at the rear of the house, in London's Soho area, that is still used for worship.
Asked what his aunt thought of the club, Mr Elliot replied: "She loved it. Everybody thinks it's a magnificent building and a magnificent project."