| |
The listed Grosvenor Chapel |
‘Chapel is not for sale’
Mayfair priest meets a billionaire fashion tycoon on a mission
A PRIEST in Mayfair has told a billionaire businessman: “Sorry, but this chapel is not for sale.”
Father Simon Hobbs made the statement after being doorstepped by clothing tycoon Richard Caring on Friday at the Grade II* listed Grosvenor Chapel, South Audley Street.
Mr Caring, who owns Wentworth golf club in Surrey and a string of exclusive West End venues including The Ivy in Soho and Scotts in Mayfair, was scouting for properties according to Fr Hobbs.
He said: “Mr Caring came into the chapel and asked about buying it. I told him that the church was not redundant, it was not for sale. He is a very successful businessman – he has every right to try and expand his portfolio – but I think even for him it would be difficult to buy a listed chapel. You need an Act of Parliament for that.”
The Anglican church – with congregations of 100 in West Mayfair – featured in the Hugh Grant movie Love Actually and was the wedding venue of choice for Diana’s stepbrother, Henry Legge, son of Raine Countess Spencer, and the Duke of Bedford’s son Lord Francis Russell.
Fr Hobbs added: “The church is owned by the Diocese of London so it is not for sale. When churches become redundant they sometimes do change use. They have been talking about changing St Mark’s for about 20 years. We are not in any financial difficulty though.”
Mr Caring in June bought Mark Birley Holdings Limited for a reported £130 million.
The leisure company, owned by Mark Birley – a Piccadilly businessman who died of a stroke on August 24 – includes the Mayfair nightclub Annabel’s, Harry’s Bar and the Bath & Racquets Club.
Mr Caring was unavailable for comment but a statement issued by his property agent handling the Birley sale read: “Mr Caring has pledged to maintain the exclusive reputation of his newly acquired ventures while developing new business opportunities.”
|
 |
|
| |
| |
