The Groucho Club to open permanent new venue in Yorkshire

The new club, to be called Groucho Bretton, will be housed in Bretton Hall, the former home to Bretton Hall College, and is scheduled to open in 2026.

Located in the heart of the 500-acre Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) in Wakefield, Groucho Bretton will have 40 bedrooms, open to non-members, who will receive the benefits of membership throughout their stay.

The Groucho Club’s owner Artfarm and Yorkshire real estate investor Rushbond Group have an agreement in place with Wakefield Council to develop the site.

“This is possibly the most exciting venture in the 39-year history of The Groucho,” says Ewan Venters, CEO of Artfarm.

“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 Groucho, but equally with a uniquely eclectic style and personality rooted in both people and place.”

“The heritage of Bretton Hall is one of the factors that originally attracted us to this site, and our plans will be respectful of these traditions while reinventing its appeal by creating modern spaces for our members, new and old, locals or visitors, to work, to play, to meet, to take part in events and to help us turn Groucho Bretton into a place where everyone feels at home.

“We want people to feel they are part of a family and a community, not just a members’ club.”

Leading the project will be Elli Jafari, recently appointed CEO of The Groucho Club, who joins the club in April.

“The international significance of Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Bretton Hall, coupled with The Groucho Club’s reputation for creativity and companionship has all the magic ingredients to make Groucho Bretton a successful venture,” says Jonathan Maud, chairman of Rushbond Group.