Groucho Club Temporarily Closed Amid Police Investigation
The iconic Groucho Club in London’s Soho has temporarily shut its doors following allegations of a "serious crime" on its premises. Westminster City Council suspended the club’s licence after a request from the Metropolitan Police.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the suspension, effective immediately, followed reports of a "recent serious criminal offence" linked to the venue. A full licensing review is set to take place within 28 days. Westminster City Council and the Metropolitan Police emphasized that they could not release further details at this time, but updates would follow when possible.
A police investigation is ongoing, with details of the alleged crime kept under wraps due to its sensitive nature. The Groucho Club, known for its celebrity clientele, has cooperated with authorities and expressed its commitment to addressing the matter.
Staff were informed of the closure via an internal email. The message read: "We have received an application to review our licence, which we take very seriously. As a consequence, the club's licence has been suspended by agreement with Westminster City Council, and we have made the decision to close the club pending a full hearing before Christmas."
Opened in 1985 as a laid-back alternative to traditional gentlemen’s clubs, the Groucho has become a Soho institution, attracting stars like Stephen Fry, Harry Styles, and Rachel Weisz. Its reputation for exclusivity and a vibrant atmosphere has made it a go-to venue for media and entertainment professionals.
The sudden closure has left some in the entertainment world scrambling, particularly those who planned to use the venue for events like next week’s Content London conference.
The Groucho Club has not commented publicly beyond its internal communication.
