'Just empty words?’: Call for answers over Groucho Club plan in Wakefield
A councillor has called for answers over plans to open a Groucho Club in Wakefield – two years after the project was announced.
In March 2024, it was revealed that the world famous private members’ club would branch out to new premises at Bretton Hall.
The venue, scheduled to open at the Grade II*-listed building in Yorkshire Sculpture Park in 2026, was set to be the first permanent location outside London in the club’s history.
Statements issued at the time said the venture was being put together by Groucho owners ArtFarm and Yorkshire real estate investor Rushbond Group, following an agreement with Wakefield Council to develop the site.
Plans included Groucho Bretton having 40 bedrooms and being open to non-members.
Conservative councillor Nadeem Ahemed requested an update on the scheme during a debate on regeneration of the city at a council meeting on Wednesday (March 18).
He asked Jack Hemingway, the Labour-run council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth: “On March 14, 2024, the council said that London’s Groucho Club was coming to Wakefield, that it was in association with the Rushbond Group and it was going to become Groucho Bretton.
“Is that happening, or was it just empty words?
Coun Hemingway replied that the scheme was not part of his portfolio, but added: “I’m very happy to seek an update for you on where things stand with that.”
After the meeting, a spokesperson for Rushbond said: “Bretton Investment Partnership – a partnership project with ArtFarm as the hotel operator – submitted a planning application (approved in 2022) for the redevelopment of Bretton Hall covering a wide range of leisure uses including a hotel.
“The partnership continues to work on bringing the opportunity forward.”
Jane Brown, service director for property and facilities at Wakefield Council, also commented: “Bretton Hall has incredible potential, and we want to see Bretton Investment Partnership move this forward as soon as possible.”
Established on Soho’s Dean Street in 1985, The Groucho has boasted famous members including Noel Gallagher, Lord Melvyn Bragg, Rachel Weisz, Lily Allen and Stephen Fry.
It has long been popular with musicians, writers, media figures and artists, with Damien Hirst famously putting his £20,000 Turner Prize winnings behind the bar in 1992.
The club was also noted for its collection of about 150 works of art, by artists including Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin and Gavin Turk.
At the time the plans were revealed, Ewan Venters, then chief executive of Artfarm, said: “This is possibly the most exciting venture in the 39-year history of The Groucho.
“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 Soho.
“Groucho Bretton will have a life of its own, separate from the original Groucho, but equally with a uniquely eclectic style and personality rooted in both people and place.”
Jonathan Maud, chairman of Rushbond Group, previously said: “The international significance of Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Bretton Hall, coupled with The Groucho Club’s reputation for creativity and companionship has all the magic ingredients to make Groucho Bretton a successful venture.”
Bretton Hall housed an art college for almost 60 years before it closed in 2007.
Planning permission was granted in 2014 to convert the eighteenth-century former country house into a hotel and spa with conferencing facilities.