The ornate chair was used by the legendary businessman – and VIP guests – at his famous London nightclubs for around 15 years. His first location was Angels Club in Soho, but he later enhanced the atmosphere at Stringfellow’s in Covent Garden.
Now the striking throne, covered in black velvet and painted gold, could be yours.
Peter’s son, Scott Stringfellow, reluctantly parted ways because he needed to make room. He plans to marry and move. The throne, estimated at £1,500-2,000, and a leopard print bath chair, estimated at £200-300 – the latest from the Angels Club – are due to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall on September 27.
Scott, 56, a track specialist racing driving instructor and safety car driver for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and support races, said: “Dad always sat in that chair, his throne. In fact, over the years the chair, which has been sprayed gold, has developed telltale signs of use. The ornate arms are adorned with lion heads but on the right arm the lion’s nose is worn and damaged. That’s where dad used to tap his ring.
“Later, after he remarried for the third time, his left ring finger also started to make its mark on the chair. Dad actually had two thrones, but the one up for auction is the one he used regularly. He had both thrones covered in black velvet when he changed the decor of Stringfellow’s restaurant to plush black furniture.
“Whenever Dad walked into the club and the dining table wasn’t occupied, he would sit on what became his king of clubs throne – Dad’s chair.”
Sheffield-born Peter Stringfellow has had humble beginnings and failed over 11 years to build one of the world’s best-known nightclub empires. It all started in his home town of Sheffield in 1962 when he hired a church hall on a Friday night, called it the Black Cat Club and started hosting bands.
He then opened British clubs in Leeds, Manchester and London. It then expanded to the United States with clubs in New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
He recognized the power of the UK music scene of the 1960s and booked artists like The Beatles, The Who, Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. When he opened Stringfellows in London’s Covent Garden in 1980, it was an instant hit with celebrities, models and paparazzi. In 1989 he suffered huge financial losses due to an American recession, but forged and developed adult entertainment venues, including Angels in London. Peter died of lung cancer aged 77 four years ago.
His son Scott, who now lives in Buckinghamshire, traces his father’s career in the book ‘My Dad Was King of Clubs’.
