Westminster City Council has suspended the licence of The Groucho Club private members’ club in Soho following a request from the Metropolitan Police.
The council revealed the venue has been “associated with serious crime”.
A council spokesperson said: “Following a request from the Metropolitan Police and with the agreement of the operator, the council’s licensing sub-committee has decided to suspend the Groucho Club’s licence with immediate effect on the basis that the premises is associated with serious crime.
“This decision follows reports that a serious crime may have taken place at the premises in circumstances linked to a breach in the premises licensing conditions.
“The allegations are subject to an ongoing police investigation and we cannot comment further at this stage.”
The Spirits Business has reached out to the Groucho Club and its owner, Artfarm, for comment.
The council held a licensing sub-committee meeting yesterday morning (26 November) to discuss the matter as part of an expedited review.
In a recording of the meeting on the council’s website, a councillor stated the police had requested the public be excluded from the hearing “due to the ongoing criminal investigation into the serious matter”.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “On Tuesday 26 November, a Westminster Council licensing hearing ruled that the licence for The Groucho Club should be suspended for up to 28 days, until a full hearing can take place.
“The suspension will take effect immediately and follows an application made by the Metropolitan Police Service on the grounds that the venue had breached its licensing conditions and had been the scene of a recent serious criminal offence.
“The investigation into that offence is ongoing and as a result, there is a limit to the detail that can be provided. Today’s hearing was held in private for the same reason.
“Further details will be released when possible.”
A post on X showed a notice posted at The Groucho Club premises that stated an application has been served under section 53A Licensing Act 2003 on the grounds that “the premises have failed to upload the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective”.
The final date to make a representation to the Licensing Authority is 9 December 2024.
Which of you friends has been misbehaving at the Groucho Club? pic.twitter.com/ApG5NitxWg
— Carol Drinkwater (@Carol4OliveFarm) November 26, 2024
The venue closure follows a downward trend for London’s nightlife.
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Author: Lauren Bowes
