Groucho Club to reopen following alleged rape

The Groucho Club closed at the request of police after claims a "recent serious criminal offence" took place there on 13 November

London's The Groucho Club is to reopen after its licence was put under review following an alleged rape at the premises.

Westminster Council had forced the private members' club in Soho to close at the request of police following claims a "recent serious criminal offence" had taken place at the premises on 13 November.

The council's licensing committee reviewed the venue's licence on Wednesday and agreed it could reopen subject to conditions agreed with the police.

A representative for the club told the committee that they sympathised with the alleged victim and agreed to work with the Met Police on safety improvements.

A 34-year-old man arrested on suspicion of raping a woman at The Groucho Club was bailed until February.

The licensing committee said new conditions agreed between the police and Groucho's management meant the club could reopen as long as members were limited to inviting four guests on to the premises and accompanied them at all times.

Among the conditions ordered by the committee will be for customer toilets to be checked every 30 minutes.

Committee chair Aziz Toki said the conditions were "appropriate and proportionate" and said the club could reopen once they had been met.

'Robust conditions'

Gary Grant, representing the Met Police, said the force had three concerns about how the club was operating.

"Firstly, lax procedures on the admission of members and guests and the recording of who was in their premises," he said.

"Secondly, insufficient welfare training and procedures that required improvement.

"Thirdly, the inadequacy of the supervision of the toilet areas."

He added that "other serious matters" were raised in a portion of the meeting held without the press or public present.

Mr Grant said the Met believed the "robust conditions proposed" would address the issues they have raised.

'One-off lapse in standards'

Helen Lederer, a Groucho member for more than 30 years, said the club was a "unique institution" and had urged councillors to let it reopen.

"It is known in London and worldwide. If it goes, it will be a big loss," she told the committee.

Philip Kolvin KC, representing the venue, said: "The Groucho Club has been in existence for almost 40 years and it is the first time that it finds itself under review.

"It is chastened to be here, it fully understands the seriousness of the situation and the circumstances that brought us here, and obviously it is concerned for the victim of this alleged offence."

He added the club had worked with the Met Police to establish a number of measures to improve security and suggested the club suffered a "one-off lapse in standards".

There is no suggestion that Groucho employees were involved in the offence, the Met has said previously.