Timothy Blake

Operations Manager, Club Privilege

What are your earliest memories of Kingston?

Whitfield Town, West Best, Rousseau Crescent; just getting up early Saturday mornings, walking from Whitfield Town up Maxfield Avenue, meeting my cousin, nephews, friends and playing by my grand- aunt’s house on Rousseau Crescent. This was great fun and taught us the value of unity, trust and integrity. Even now as I drive by these areas I’m overcome with the memories.

What do you miss when you are not in Kingston?

The paradox of certainty amidst uncertainty, I must say. This drips a sense of what I call the real reality – where we are facing the truth outside of our desired truth. The certainty that we are to be cautious and vigilant in each approach, yet relaxed enough not to be noticed even by our companion standing next to us. This is not seen in other cities at the level accomplished in Kingston and it becomes rehabilitation for me if I am away for more than a week.

What are your favourite home comforts?

It has always been my stereo system, a full surround- sound system that brings the sounds from every angle. This type of listening takes me away for a time to wander my mind in the land of music. I enjoy music without reservation and my desire is to bring it to life in an area, with a need for entertainment coupled with hospitality, and at a place well developed to soothe the eyes, with sounds that tantalise the ears and a baseline that massages the body.

What would you do if you were mayor (of Kingston) for a day?

A seminar – I would hold a seminar. I would have motivational speakers from around the country and speakers from USA, Canada and England talking on the effects of global warming. Greening of our industries would be paramount and conservation would be next. Then we would all relax at the end of the day with an open-air disco with sand on the ground, with shoes prohibited as we rock to mellow music. While it’s important that we all be productive, we must remember that production only comes from those who are properly motivated.

Share with us the title of the last book you read

“The art of war”. I never forget “a military force is established by deception, mobilised by gain and adapted by division and combination”

What’s your middle name?

I am not sure why my mother called me “Kirlew”, but I understand that in those days one would call the child by a name that had either a meaning or significance, and that had to do with my hair.

And the last bit of music that stirred your soul?

The Lord’s my Shepherd, Buju Banton and Gramps from Morgan Heritage

What was your last bit of retail therapy?

Burlington Coat Factory, August 2009. I even walked up to the cash register with a felt on my head and only remembered when the cashier asked if it was mine. I paid for it and replied, “It’s mine now!” But I did enjoy taking two ladies shopping locally for the teacups to be used for “our first night out” at Club Privilege.

Which cologne are you currently splashing?

Chaps by Ralph Lauren. It is so unique and subtle, mostly though it tends to fuse with my natural scent, never will you be upset by it.

What is your preferred beverage?

By nature I indulge in mixology. Yet any day any time, anywhere I will sniff a Remy Martin and sip on some ginger ale.

What has been your most memorable meal in Kingston?

Cornish hen and baked potatoes at Norma’s on the Terrace at Devon house. It returned the days of my youth to me, where I had this on Sundays as a version of rice and peas and chicken. This is where I realised that we enjoy the same things no matter our age, and that there is someone there who has not had the opportunities that we enjoyed – there is a lot to be thankful for

What upsets you?

I really don’t get upset, I tend more to be disappointed. I find that when one gets upset a tendency to lose control kicks in. I try to control my emotions as much as possible and since getting upset takes that control away, I guard against that very much. I must say, though, that hypocrisy tends to take me very close to being upset

What are your current projects?

Club Privilege is my current project. I find that I walk, talk, eat and sleep it. It has become so much a part of my life it’s hard to take on anything else. There is a sense of urgency coupled with an intensity that takes me to “The Club” each day that was hardly ever equalled by any other project I have undertaken; be it a villa restoration, a hotel upgrade, a new system installation or just a walkway design.

In just over two months we have taken four walls surrounding almost five thousand square feet of space and converted it to a modern state-of-the-art night club that boasts a VIP area, two seated areas and a huge dance space. We have added two bars – a champagne bar and a regular -featuring Classic, Privileged and Signature cocktails. We have gone the distance and we are ready to deliver the fusion of hospitality and entertainment that Club Privilege now pioneers in Jamaica.

What’s your advice to a first-time visitor to Kingston?

Play it by ear – it’s our big city; we are protective of it; be where you are to be and feel the air, if it is too thick for you, change your location.

What’s your philosophy?

Everyone is a landscape – our contact may change them. Let us change those we can make better, enjoy the ones that are wonderful, and decorate the ones that need a lift.