Ashley Cole and Jay-Z launch club
Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole has confirmed he is to team up with international music star Jay-Z to open a restaurant and club in central London called 40/40.
The project, entitled 40/40 London, will have a modern American-themed menu at a location yet to be decided.
The team said three potential sites are being considered and a decision is set to be made next month.
The original 40/40 Club opened in 2003 in New York and is currently undergoing a refurbishment.
The chain, which has sites in Atlantic City and Chicago, also plans to open venues in Tokyo and Macau.
The 40/40 London site will give first option on jobs to talented, long-term unemployed young people.
And each month a percentage of profits from the project will go to local youth charities for music and sport projects in poor communities. Cole said: "I am delighted to be working with Jay-Z. I have grown up listening to his music and now to be doing business with him is amazing. The projects we
do will be delivering much-needed funds back into sport and music on a local community level, as well as helping talented young people get back to work."
