LONDON’S GREAT CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 18973, 21 June 1923, Page 9

LONDON’S GREAT CLUB

20,000 MEMBERS WANTED. A PALATIAL BUILDING. The London Club, which opened last month with a dinner, dance, cabaret entertainment, and a membership of 5,000, is like no other club in the world, declares the Manchester Guardian. It is the ambitious enterprise of a Glasgow man, Mr T. C. Gordon, who has had long experience as a caterer, and it came about in a new sort of way. Most clubs form a nucleus, and then look for premises. Mr Gordon first found the spacious premises, and then discovered how to make the best use of them. He has taken a huge place in King Street, that was lately a carriage repository. Before that it was the well-known Druce’s Bazaar, and more than a hundred years ago it was the barracks form which the Scots Greys went out to a great campaign. Large sums have been spent on alterations, and now it is a club with a huge hall, whete 1,500 people can dine, or a thousand can dance, a billiard saloon, equipped with 40 tables, a table tennis room with 30 championship tables, as well as reading, writing, smoking and card rooms, tea lounges, and quick-service buffets. It has a club license. It is large enough to accommodate 20,000 members, and this number, will, it is hoped, be obtained. The impression one receives on entering is of whiteness, spaciousness, and bright, but tempered, light, and a rather awe-inspiring staff of uniformed attendants. The keeper of the inner door is a resplendent man with blue coat and magnificent crimson plush breeches. The annual subscription is a guinea for men, and half a guinea for women, and ten shillings for country members. Candidates are asked to furnish such particulars as private and business address, nationality, age, rank, profession, or occupation, and not more than two references. The management reserve the right to return the membership fee within a month should a member not be considered suitable. The club closes at midnight, and will be open all day.