It introduced in London’s Soho nearly 40 years in the past, and briefly turned into infamous for its famous person clientele and “tales of naughtiness and excess”.
Now the famend Groucho Membership, one in every of London’s most famed non-public contributors’ golf equipment, has introduced plans to amplify – to a village close Wakefield.
Groucho Bretton is about to visible within the Grade II indexed Bretton Corridor, within the boxes of Yorkshire Sculpture Terrain, and would be the first everlasting venue outdoor the capital within the membership’s historical past.
The venue, which can even have 40 bedrooms and be visible to non-members, is about to visible in 2026.
Ewan Venters, eminent govt of Groucho homeowners Artfarm, described the progress as “possibly the most exciting venture in the 39-year history of the Groucho”.
He endured: “We have done pop-ups at literary and music festivals in the past, but this will be the first time we have set up a permanent home outside of London’s Soho.
“Groucho Bretton can have a generation of its personal, distant from the latest Groucho, however similarly with a uniquely eclectic taste and character rooted in each nation and playground.”
A home for celebs – but some were turned away
The latest Groucho Membership in London’s Soho opened in 1985
The latest Groucho Membership opened on Dean Boulevard in Soho on 5 Might 1985 and via the Nineteen Nineties, it had established itself because the go-to playground “for the famous and infamous”, because the venue itself places it.
However reputation isolated wasn’t plenty to get you in.
“The membership committee quickly established itself as fearsome, fickle and notoriously difficult to impress,” the membership’s historical past division states. “Even if you got through the gauntlet of membership, it didn’t always guarantee actually getting in to the club.”
Member Eric Clapton was once as soon as became away as he wasn’t recognised – or even the Spice Women on the top in their reputation have been unsuccessful.
Why Wakefield?
Bretton Corridor prior to now housed an arts school ahead of it closed in 2007, and has its personal similarly storied historical past.
Its heritage was once the principle draw for the pristine venue, Mr Venters stated.
“Our plans will be respectful of these traditions while reinventing its appeal,” he stated. “We want people to feel they are part of a family and a community, not just a members’ club.”
Artfarm and component builders Rushbond Workforce will paintings at the website in partnership with Wakefield Council, with the assistance of the Yorkshire Sculpture Terrain.
“The longstanding reputation of Bretton Hall as an innovative arts institution makes it the perfect place for Groucho to establish its unique offer outside London,” council chief Denise Jeffery stated.
“I am very pleased that Bretton Hall will be entering a dynamic new phase of its history, enhancing our area’s reputation as a cultural centre.”
