A century of innovation at The Sloane Club

The First World War transformed the position of women in Britain. Though they were barred from serving in military combat roles, many provided support on the front lines. They worked as nurses, ambulance drivers, and translators, but also served in the Air Force, the Navy and the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.

Once the war ended, there were thousands of young women who had seen military service. A club was founded to provide accommodation and companionship to these veterans in Chelsea, known as the Service Women’s Club.

The club was founded in 1922 by Princess Helena, the fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. One of the most active members of the royal family, she had a lifelong dedication to women’s causes. Helena was one of the founding members of the Ladies Committee of the British Red Cross and President of the Royal British Nurses’ Association. But her most lasting legacies were the Royal School of Needlework – Helena became President soon after it started, helping to raise funds for the South Kensington headquarters and recruiting support from friends like William Morris – and the Service Women’s Club.

Over time, the club’s membership broadened, and it was renamed the Helena Club for Ladies, occupying a red brick Victorian mansion block on Lower Sloane Street, a short walk away from Sloane Square. Then, in the 1970s, membership was opened to men, and the club now caters to two thousand five hundred people. More recently, the whole club has been refurbished to prepare for the second century of its history.

‘One space for the whole self,’ Neena Jivraj Stevenson, Managing Director of The Sloane Club, explained when we met in the private dining room, named after the anonymous lady in black whose portrait decorates one wall.

‘Chelsea attracts people from different ages, careers, and interests, not to mention a range of nationalities. We wanted to create a space that could welcome those differences, rather than pigeonhole ourselves with one type of member.’

Many of the club’s members are former Chelsea residents who have left the city but wanted to keep a connection to their old neighbourhood. They considered the premises ‘somewhere to stay, but not somewhere to eat, drink, and socialise.’ The refurbishment aimed to change that impression, not only with first-class wining and dining, but also with gym classes, beauty treatments, hot desks for working, events and programming to bring members together and an infrared sauna for relaxing. Members joining the Club since its refurbishment are local, interesting individuals with stories to tell, seeking community and belonging.

Nonetheless, the refurbishment has also drawn on the club’s rich history. For instance, Helena’s restaurant is decorated with embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework, and the ‘demob’ bar has a ceiling of parachute silk and a camouflage pattern across the carpet. Meanwhile, the library is decorated with shilling coins – a reference to the original membership fee of six shillings – as well as a history of British coinage written by former member Gertrude Burford Rawlings.

The same approach can be seen in the club’s 66 bedrooms, which take inspiration from local mews streets, with leather detailing, rich joinery and equestrian artwork recalling their history as stables for grand townhouses. But they also offer modern comforts and conveniences, from air conditioning to coffee machines.

The new interiors were the work of Russell Sage Studios, who were also responsible for the refurbishment of the Goring. Unlike many members’ clubs, where the interiors are decorated in a single style, the designers made sure that each public space had its own character. ‘We’re primarily a social club,’ explains Neena, ‘so we had to start with the social spaces.’ Over the course of the day, members can move from coffee on the bright front terrace to cocktails in the low-lit, sophisticated bar.

The refurbishment started in January 2024. The first phase is now complete, with the last bedrooms finishing in April, the wellness centre opening in May, and the terrace with retractable roof ready for the summer, promising Asian-inspired food and enough space for 90 people. When asked to sum up the club’s new ethos, Neena answers, ‘Exclusive inclusivity. We want our membership to feel they can show up here in an authentic way, from first thing in the morning to the last moment at night.’

Rooted in friendship, connection and pioneering spirit, The Sloane Club remains dedicated to bringing like-minded individuals together. Its vibrant social and cultural programming offers members a diverse calendar of events - from talks and panels to tastings and masterclasses. Designed to inspire, educate, and connect, these experiences enrich the lives of members while fostering a true sense of community.

Find out more about The Sloane Club here.