Groucho Club’s licence is re-instated after police proposed new guidelines on friends and monitoring bathrooms following alleged rape
The Groucho Club has won its licence back after police launched an investigation into an alleged rape.
The famous private members club in the heart of Soho closed last month after police arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of the serious sex offence.
The club shut when police banned it from selling alcoholic drinks as they compiled evidence relating to the alleged crime.
But on Wednesday, the club successfully argued it should be allowed to continue to sell alcohol, under stringent conditions.
Police said they will only allow the club to reopen if it bans more than one person using a toilet cubicle at one time, staff receive welfare training and club membership rules are tightened up.
Lawyers for the club appeared at Westminster Council and agreed to the conditions outlined by the police.
The committee led by Councillor Aziz Toki agreed to the terms and granted the Groucho its licence back.
One member of the club for 30 years Helen Lederer, who is an actress and writer, said the club is a ‘unique’ place.
![The Groucho, pictured, was originally conceived as an antidote to the stuffiness of traditional London members' clubs](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/61318105-14207335-The_Groucho_pictured_was_originally_conceived_as_an_antidote_to_-a-3_1734553230956.jpg)
The Groucho, pictured, was originally conceived as an antidote to the stuffiness of traditional London members’ clubs
![The club shut when police banned it from selling alcoholic drinks as they compiled evidence relating to the alleged crime (file image)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/93290521-14207335-image-a-4_1734553619463.jpg)
The club shut when police banned it from selling alcoholic drinks as they compiled evidence relating to the alleged crime (file image)
‘It is an artistic, creative place which is friendly,’ she said.
‘This is a unique institution that gives so much to London and is known worldwide.
‘That sounds a bit grand, but it is known in London.
‘I ask you to take that into account, because if it goes, it will be a loss for all those reasons I have cited.’
The club has been open for 40 years and has never been under review, according to its lawyers.
Philip Kolvin KC told the licence committee the club has devised a new means of recording which members have arrived and who they are with.
Gary Grant, representing the Metropolitan Police, argued as the club is associated with an allegation of a serious crime, new rules need to be installed.
He said: ‘When an allegation was made that a woman was raped inside the Groucho Club that led police to carry out investigations at the Club.
‘The police investigation led to meetings between police licence officials and the management of the Groucho Club.
![A notice placed in the window of The Groucho Club in November, which read: 'The Police believe that the premises have failed to uphold the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/92502571-14207335-A_notice_placed_in_the_window_of_The_Groucho_Club_reads_The_Poli-a-5_1734554385438.jpg)
A notice placed in the window of The Groucho Club in November, which read: ‘The Police believe that the premises have failed to uphold the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective’
![The Groucho Club, the louche Soho joint where hard-living artist Damien Hirst once put his £20,000 Turner Prize winnings behind the bar, was a favourite haunt of Kate Moss (pictured in November 2009)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/61318109-14207335-The_Groucho_Club_the_louche_Soho_joint_where_hard_living_artist_-a-6_1734554388288.jpg)
The Groucho Club, the louche Soho joint where hard-living artist Damien Hirst once put his £20,000 Turner Prize winnings behind the bar, was a favourite haunt of Kate Moss (pictured in November 2009)
![Erin O'Connor and Jasmine Guinness at a Models One bash at The Groucho Club in 1998](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/61318113-14207335-Erin_O_Connor_and_Jasmine_Guinness_at_a_Models_One_bash_at_The_G-a-7_1734554392826.jpg)
![Liam Gallagher strolling out of the club in 1998](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/61320707-14207335-Liam_Gallagher_strolling_out_of_the_club_in_1998-a-8_1734554392829.jpg)
Erin O’Connor and Jasmine Guinness at a Models One bash at The Groucho Club in 1998. Right, Liam Gallagher strolling out of the club in the same year.
![George Michael and Liza Minnelli appeared to hit it off when they met for the first time at The Groucho Club in 1990, just five years after it opened its doors](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/61320705-14207335-George_Michael_and_Liza_Minnelli_appeared_to_hit_it_off_when_the-a-9_1734554395783.jpg)
George Michael and Liza Minnelli appeared to hit it off when they met for the first time at The Groucho Club in 1990, just five years after it opened its doors
![Lily Allen in 2008](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/61319787-14207335-Lily_Allen_in_2008-a-10_1734554397978.jpg)
![Sienna Miller pictured in 2005](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/20/61319793-14207335-Sienna_Miller_pictured_in_2005-a-11_1734554397984.jpg)
Lily Allen, left in 2008, and Sienna Miller, right in 2005, are among the famous faces who have partied in The Groucho Club over the decades
‘As a result of these discussions it became apparent that there were a number of breaches of the licence conditions at the time of the triggering incident (rape allegation) that led us here today.’
Mr Grant added the committee must consider how to ‘prevent future crime and disorder’.
New rules include making applicants for membership of the club wait a minimum of two days before being admitted.
Members will also be limited to four guests who must be accompanied at all times.
‘If more than one person is found using a toilet cubicle they will be immediately evicted,’ Mr Grant added.
‘The police case is with these conditions it reflects an appropriate response.
‘It addresses the three issues in this case, namely proper supervision of the toilet area, proper welfare training and tightening up previously lax procedures around membership and guests.’
The Groucho is byword for style and glamour and has been a popular haunt for numerous celebrities, including George Michael, Rita Ora, Cara Delevingne, Noel and Liam Gallagher, Lily Allen, her father Keith, Robbie Williams, Freddie Mercury, and Noel Fielding.
It is owned by Swiss art dealers Ewan and Manuela Wirth who were not present at the hearing.
The club will issue a statement later today on when it will reopen.
It traditionally closes for Christmas.