Hospitality group Artfarm acquires the Groucho Club

Soho institution the Groucho Club has agreed to be bought by Artfarm, the international hospitality group led by the former Fortnum & Mason CEO Ewan Venters.

Talk of the acquisition had been doing the rounds over the last few months, but this morning the club confirmed the deal, which is set to be completed today (August 11). The deal is said to be worth around £40m.

In a statement, Groucho chairman Nick Hurrell said: ‘I believe that this new ownership will be a great thing for our lovely club.

‘Under the current ownership, much has been achieved over these last years. Above all, we came through the pandemic unscathed thanks to the hard work of Jeff, the managers and the whole team, and with the loyal support of our community of members and our shareholders…

‘We believe that Artfarm will be the perfect partner and the future of The Groucho Club is assured.’

Hurrell said the club had been approached by a small number of parties ‘interested in taking it forward’, but Artfarm was ‘the most attractive approach, given their sympathetic vision for the future’.

The Groucho Club now joins Artfarm venues such as the Fife Arms in Braemar, the soon-to-open Audley Public House and Mount St. Restaurant in Mayfair, Roth Bar & Grill in Somerset, and Manuela in Los Angeles. 

Venters, meanwhile, is a long-standing Groucho member, and has built a strong career on taking established names forward while respecting their traditions.

Venters said: ‘As a member for some time myself, I understand the special place the Groucho occupies in London’s cultural landscape.

‘I think Artfarm and the Groucho are, in many ways, kindred spirits, and I am excited at the prospect of welcoming members old and new to this legendary London club.’

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