The Groucho Club to open permanent site in Yorkshire

A renowned private members' club, which has served as a hub for the arts, literature and media community in London for almost four decades, is to open its first-ever location outside of the capital. 

Scheduled to open in 2026, The Groucho Club's new site will be called Groucho Bretton, housed in the former home of Bretton Hall College. 

Located in the heart of the 500-acre Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) in Wakefield, Groucho Bretton will also have 40 bedrooms, open to non-members, who will receive the benefits of membership throughout their stay. Leading the project will be Elli Jafari, recently appointed CEO of The Groucho Club, who officially joins in April. 

A collaborative project

Artfarm, owners of The Groucho Club, and Yorkshire real estate investor Rushbond Group have an agreement in place with Wakefield Council to develop the site. Groucho Bretton, with the support of YSP, will build on both The Groucho and Bretton Hall's reputation for attracting like-minded, culturally engaged individuals who contribute to the UK's creative scene. 

Ewan Venters, CEO of Artfarm, comments: "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 London's Soho. Groucho Bretton will have a life of its own, separate from the original Grouho, but equally with a uniquely eclectic style and personality rooted in both people and place."

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