If black labradors are a far right fantasy, I guess I’m a fascist Opinion That labradors aren't a sign of fascism feels self-explanatory, yet Labour blathers on, writes James Ford's hand in today's Notebook.
Police shut exclusive Mayfair members’ club over possible gun offence Hospitality Police have temporarily closed a Mayfair private members’ club, which has been visited by Sarah Ferguson, Kim Kardashian and Noel Gallagher, over a possible gun-related incident. The Metropolitan Police applied to Westminster City Council to suspend the license of Maison Estelle, which subsequently shut its doors on Tuesday. Police said reports of “serious crime, or [...]
‘In fine fettle’: Pall Mall’s RAC waiting list grows as posh club toasts profit boost Motoring The Royal Automobile Club has seen a rise in its waiting list as the posh Pall Mall private members’ club toasted a surge in profitability. The institution, which was founded in 1897 as a motoring club and later spawned the roadside assistance business RAC, saw its waiting list increase by 7 per cent in 2025 [...]
What really makes a London members’ club work? February 25, 2026 Creating a successful private members’ club is hard. If it weren’t, everyone would do it, and the Hospital Club and the House of St Barnabas would still be in operation. Yet new contenders keep emerging, each proclaiming its unique offering which will be the key to its survival and prosperity. Later this year a new [...]
Where to drink wine in London with a touch of old-fashioned glamour December 8, 2025 It is a pattern we see repeatedly. At times of austerity and economic hardship: people crave luxury, colour and escapism. During the Great Depression we saw the rise of jazz, dancehalls and art deco glamour, while the World War II ushered in an era of escapist, technicolour movies filled with flights of fancy. Now in the [...]
Selfridges: Westminster council approves in-store members club, but bans music June 25, 2025 Department store Selfridges has won approval for an in-store private members club and dining room from Westminster council. At a planning meeting on Tuesday night, Westminster councillors unanimously approved the proposed changes to the fourth floor of the iconic Oxford Street department store. The proposal, which was approved with the condition that no music – [...]
Tory MP Patrick Spencer denies sexual assault charges June 16, 2025 Conservative MP Patrick Spencer has denied two counts of sexual assault, alleged to have been committed at Soho’s exclusive Groucho Club. The MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday where he confirmed his date of birth and full name before submitting a not guilty plea to the charges. [...]