Mega-rich at war! Party crowd vs The well-heeled
Sanchez Manning on locals who want Quintessentially to pipe down
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As a concierge service for the mega-rich, Quintessentially has made its fortune indulging the whims of the wealthy. No matter how outlandish the want – for albino peacocks or a romantic meal for two on an iceberg – the firm says it can make it happen.
Founded by the Duchess of Cornwall's nephew Ben Elliot, with help from his cousin Tom Parker Bowles, the firm has a client roster that includes Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Sir Richard Branson.
Its high-society parties feature regularly in the pages of Hello! magazine. One of the most recent was Tatler's first lesbian ball last July, where invitees included TV personalities such as Mary Portas and Clare Balding. Unfortunately, they are not so popular with residents near its central London headquarters at 29 Portland Place, Marylebone. And gatherings have been attended by council noise control officers three times in the past 12 months.
Thus far, neighbours in the exclusive area, where foreign embassies line the streets, have largely borne disturbances with gritted teeth. But an application by Quintessentially for a licence to serve alcohol and have dancing and music until 11.30pm six days a week and 10.30pm on Sundays, unleashed 26 objections to Westminster council.
Hedge fund managers, senior architects, leading lawyers and well-known figures such as the former Radio 1 DJ Simon Bates spelled out their opposition to a "de facto nightclub" that would attract a "hard-drinking" party set to the largely residential road.
Many objectors had already had their nerves jangled by the antics of the self-styled "Lord" Eddie Davenport. Currently in prison for fraud, he appeared in court last year after he breached planning regulations with a series of wild parties in his mansion at 33 Portland Place. On one occasion, the case revealed, revellers rowed across a swimming pool of cognac set up in one of the rooms.
Now the fight is on to stop the feared return of such high jinx. Residents have won the first round, and a Quintessentially spokeswoman said yesterday they were "disappointed" by the council's rejection of their recent request, but she also hinted that the battle is not yet over.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments