15 February 2024 , 10:10
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The sudden closure of an exclusive private club for families launched by a pal of Prince William has left parents “in tears”.
Maggie & Rose suddenly sent an email last week confirming it was to shut its doors temporarily owing to “staffing challenges”. As a result parents, who pay £210 a month at its Kensington base and £140 a month in Chiswick, were forced to scramble to find sitters for their kids left saddened by the news.
The email, according to the Standard, read: “Our members safety and experience is our top most priority. We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.” One parent said the news left her daughter “crying for days”.
She said: “I have booked my daughter’s fifth birthday two months ago and bought cake,. card, return gifts etc and paid Maggie & Rose a down payment. Everything was settled but four days before the birthday was about to happen they send me an email cancelling it, not even giving an alternative to solve the issue and not even refunding my deposit.”
The club was founded in 2007 by Maggie Bolger and her business partner Rose Astor, who married Prince William ’s friend Hugh van Cutsem and whose daughter was a bridesmaid at the heir to the throne’s wedding in 2011. The founders sold a stake in 2019 when a stake to Chinese company, China New City Commercial Development.
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The founder's daughter, Grace, was bridesmaid at Prince William's wedding (UK Press via Getty Images)Maggie & Rose’s website reads: “The original Family Members’ Club, we are leading experts in creating spaces for families. An exciting hybrid of classes, creative play, entertainment and content, all housed in our beautifully designed clubhouses, our members seek out our offering to enhance their daily lifestyles and to become part of a community of likeminded families.
“Since we opened our first site in Kensington, London, Maggie & Rose has been embraced by its community of professional, international parents looking for inspiring early years’ environments, a place to truly call a home away from home. The concept has grown organically since then with growing demand in London and internationally, with clubhouses currently in London, Hong Kong and Mainland China.” Maggie & Rose has been contacted for comment by the Mirror.