Italians Clubhouse

Idea

Introduction

Italians Clubhouse format springs from years of investment and knowledge of London, management of successful businesses covering food & beverage operations, design, and fashion. Most of all by the passion of bringing the pleasure and quality of Italian Lifestyle to the London market.

A new amazing venture by the creators of the successfully integrated platform of social media and events (#EatDrinkLoveItalian, more than 100,000 followers) as well as serial investors in Made by Italians (i2i.london).

The first clubhouse boasts a casual restaurant open to the public, a terrace, a wine bar, private lounges and private dining for members, a Campari Bar, Members Room, B&B, private tailors, barber, gym and bespoke concierge services.

Soft launched in December 2017 and currently operating as a pop-up event space and art gallery, the Clubhouse aims to be fully operative by the end of spring 2018, in Mayfair's original Village, Shepherd Market. Our next opening is planned in Shoreditch in winter 2018/2019.

Intended impact

Italian restaurants, wine bars, and design venues are already dominating the London market. Italian Lifestyle can be found all over the media and has become increasingly inspirational for both wealthy Londoners as well as for the younger generations. Furthermore, despite the presence of more than 500,000 Italians in the UK, mostly in London, there is no destination proposing the everyday Italian lifestyle at 360 degrees, using a quintessentially British establishment: the Club.

Unlike other concepts, which often focus on wealth and status, Italians Clubhouse is aimed at design enthusiasts, foodies and people looking for a place where they can still connect and share their passions in true Italian style.
The club’s concept will please even the fussiest members by creating, in different locations around London, a bespoke look and feel for each postcode/village.

Substantial accomplishments to date

In the first 12 months since the idea, the founders have achieved and financed:

- A 20-year lease in Shepherd Market, Mayfair; the heart of one of London's wealthiest areas and part of a large-scale urban re-development

- Created a unique club that could be implemented in smaller venues - versus the traditional and expensive club model

- A new concept, benefiting from solid commercial and financial basis and a network of participating members and partners

- A venue promoted with pop-up events and pop-up gallery, with press coverage and amazing social media base

- Secured a long-term loan and first private investors to secure the finance of refurbishment works

- Secured a partnership with Campari

- Secured a team of experienced industry professionals supporting the founders; among them Roberto Boscolo, part of the well-known family of 5-stars hoteliers, an expert in hotel management and concierge services

Monetisation strategy

The Food & Beverage operations occupy two-thirds of Italians Clubhouse.

Memberships, extra services, and the B&B operation will accelerate the plan and has the potential to support the second opening with little or no extra fundraising.

An initial refurbishment of the first location has already increased the commercial value of the property, with further refurbishments planned. The chance to reverse the upper floors back to residential could provide a plan-b safety-net/exit strategy.

Furthermore, Italians Clubhouse already operates ITS Fashion Street Cafe located in the prestigious Istituto Marangoni in Shoreditch.

Corporate investor (non-EIS seeking) - investing more than £15,000 will get a free corporate lifetime membership.

Individual investors - investing more than £5,000 will get a 50% discount on any membership options for the first year.

Use of proceeds

Fund raised during the campaign will support our growth in the start-up phase.

Italians Clubhouse intends to invest the proceeds in:

- Additional high-quality refurbishment works of the first location
- Secure top of the trade personnel
- Marketing campaign targeting the local business community (beyond the existing large network of followers)
- Securing a larger location on Fashion Street, Shoreditch, where the Italians Clubhouse already owns the successful ITS Fashion Street Cafe.

Please note, the company has an outstanding loan of £500,000 with an interest rate of 7% per annum, to be paid off within the next 3 years. None of the funds raised will be used to repay this loan.