BY GEMMA HUNTER - posted 20/12/08 10am GMT

London’s favourite Columnist and Entertainment Correspondent

We may be spiralling into the worst recession seen since The Great Depression, but you would have struggled to guess it last night as celebrities and friends braved the bitter chill to celebrate the opening of Lee Chapman and Leslie Ash’s fifth bar, JuJu.

The ex-footballer and his actress wife defied the present climate to bring a touch of modern glamour and style back to The Kings Road with a striking new venue designed to raise the bar high for champagne and cocktail lounges in London.

The first bar of its kind, JuJu aims to attract discerning clientele looking for an evening of exceptional music, outstanding service, sumptuous food and first class cocktails.

Johnny Vaughn, Ainsley Harriot, Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith and world renowned architect David Yun were among those who turned out to enjoy the modern luxury and glamour in an area that was once the heart of the “swinging sixties”, propelling guests back to an era when cocktail hour was chic and an experience to be savoured and enjoyed.

Although well established private members club Raffles is dangerously close and people are increasingly being forced to tighten their belts, Lee Chapman was positive about his new venture and the kind of people he as hoping to attract:

“JuJu is the first and only champagne and cocktail lounge of its kind, targeting a more mature clientele who want to have a great night out. In essence this venue combines great drinks with outstanding service in an atmosphere unmatched by any other Lounge Bar.”

Refusing to let the global economic downturn dent his spirits, he believed now, more than ever, was the time for people to get out and party:

“The more depressing it gets, the more people should get out, release their frustrations and have a good time.

Regardless of what is happening with the economy, people will always want to let their hair down and we are here to make sure they are well looked after”

Interior designer Martin Brudnizki (who has most recently worked on The Ivy Members Club and St Pancras Grand) was behind the design of JuJu, emphasising simplicity and elegance to create an atmosphere of understated class.

Serbian entrepreneur, Rastko Miletic, gave his thoughts on the venue: “I’m delighted to see that in these tough times, we can forget about the economic crisis by surrounding ourselves with some much needed luxury and decadence.

I wish Lee and Leslie every success with their latest venture and look forward to indulging myself with more JuJu opulence in very near in the future"

JuJu is open Monday – Sunday from 5pm to 1am

JuJu 316 – 318 Kings Road, Chelsea, SW3 5UH. London

photo credit: the owners of JUJU Lee Chapman and his beautiful wife Leslie Ash