The British have been described as “incurably clubbable” but many people today wrongly view members’ clubs as elitist and expensive.
For fees from about £10 to £80 a month, you can have a special place to work, network and entertain; plus access to gyms, libraries and exclusive events, and food and board at preferential rates. There’s something for everyone, from self-employed hipsters to cultured countryfolk seeking a city base.
The idea is so powerful that Marks & Spencer has this month rebranded its loyalty scheme as a members’ club. You don’t get a clubhouse, but the retailer says it’s the same concept — being part of something special.
Here we look at three very different clubs and their benefits.
For hip creative types
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Soho House was founded in Greek Street in 1995 as a home from home for people in the creative industries, notably arts, media and fashion.
The company has expanded since then and now has 15 properties, including Houses in Somerset, Berlin and New York. It is considered exclusive and new members must be proposed by two existing members.
Vicki Young, the 33-year-old founder and director of Nalla, a branding and digital design agency in Hoxton, east London, joined the Shoreditch House club six months ago.
It’s an ultra-hip six-storey converted warehouse with spaces for work and relaxation; plus two restaurants, a bar, library, gym, rooftop pool and 26 hotel rooms.
She says: “Our office is open plan and I wanted somewhere better for meeting clients. It’s perfect for that and gives a bit of prestige — much better than going to a coffee shop.
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“I also use the work spaces if I want a change of scene, and take colleagues there to discuss projects. The regular free talks aimed at creative professionals are a real bonus and I can bring three guests so it benefits my whole team. The club is good for networking and provides a really supportive environment. I’ve also taken friends for lunch and I use the gym.”
Young pays £1,400 a year for Every House membership, which gives full access to all Soho House clubs. Local membership of Shoreditch House costs £900. Under-27s pay reduced rates. She says it’s excellent value and a great investment — “provided you make regular use of it”.
A city base and cultural hub
The non-profit Royal Over-Seas League was started in 1910 by Sir Evelyn Wrench, a great promoter of the British Empire, “to foster international understanding and friendship”. Its 16,500 members have use of its London and Edinburgh clubhouses and access to regular events.
Many members from the countryside or overseas use the clubhouse as a familiar base when they’re in town, while town members attend events, entertain friends, family and clients, or drop in for tea and the newspapers when they’re in the vicinity.
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Members can also hire rooms for functions, from £150 for the circular Park Room in the London clubhouse, with optional catering at £40 a head for a three-course meal.
The London clubhouse comprises two Georgian townhouses and an art deco 1930s extension. It overlooks Green Park and is a short stroll from the Ritz and the Royal Academy.
Subscriptions are £330 for those in or near London and £185 for country members who live beyond 50 miles of Charing Cross. Under-31s get a large discount.
Members pay from £115 to £220 a night for rooms with breakfast. It’s not cheap but is very good value for the location. The same goes for its restaurant prices (£25 for afternoon tea, with a glass of champagne).
Gemma Matthews, the director of marketing, says: “Most members have a love of the arts — they’ll be chatting about the exhibition or play they’ve just seen. We have a busy programme of cultural events, from music recitals to ceilidh classes and we help young musicians and artists, with scholarships and competitions.”
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Candidates for membership can visit for a tour and must be proposed by a member, or a member of staff.
Significantly, members can enjoy short-term access to more than 80 “reciprocal” members’ clubs worldwide, including the historic Tollygunge Club in Calcutta.
A civic and literary club
The Liverpool Athenaeum was founded in November 1797 for the primary purpose of providing a library and newsroom where merchants and professionals in the fast-growing commercial centre could meet and catch up on events.
Early members included abolitionists and political radicals. Today’s members include business leaders, clergy, lawyers, academics and trade unionists.
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Membership is limited to 500 “proprietors”. Each acquires a “share” that can be traced through previous holders to the founders.
Rates vary by age range, from £105 a year for people aged 18 to 21 to £795 from age 40. There are reduced rates for associate members who don’t live or work near by.
The club occupies three storeys of a handsome 1920s building in Church Alley in Liverpool city centre. The facilities include limited office space where members can work.
David Swift, a retired judge and past president of the club, says: “We’re open every weekday and have a packed programme of events, including formal and informal dinners and talks. There are special interest groups for history, literature, music, science and medicine, theatre, film and wine tasting sessions.
“Some business people come to network and entertain clients; academics might use the library; and some people especially like to have lunch. You can have an excellent three-course meal for £12 — the catering doesn’t make a profit.”
Events include a lunchtime talk on “Challenging Terror” by Paul Boateng, the former Labour minister, on Tuesday. This costs £20, with a meal of stilton and watercress soup, braised beef with cauliflower cheese and new potatoes, and lemon tart.
Swift adds: “We’re different to other clubs for two reasons. First, we exist for the preservation of a historic library of 60,000 books. Second, our involvement in the community, which includes working with local schools by organising events such as debating and writing contests.”
Applicants for membership must be proposed by members. Staff can arrange a visit and make the necessary introductions for those without contacts. Members get reciprocal rights at more than 50 clubs, including the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong.
It’s not just any club, it’s an M&S club
Not all members’ clubs have clubhouses and annual subs.
Marks & Spencer has rebranded its loyalty card scheme as a nationwide members’ club, which it will launch under the name of Sparks on October 22.
Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, the executive director of M&S, says: “Customers tell us they want to be part of something special and that’s exactly why Sparks is a club. As a member you are more than a customer and will get the most from M&S, with tailor-made offers, priority access and invitations to exclusive events. It’s a two-way relationship. Members can tell us what they enjoy, select their own tailored offers and be rewarded for sharing their views.”
New members can tell M&S about their interests and will receive tailor-made offers. They get points for every purchase, product review and “shwop” (where you leave an old clothing item with M&S for donation to Oxfam when you make a new purchase). Rewards include previews of new season ranges, and early-bird access on the store’s website, along with exclusive members’ events such as food tastings and shopping evenings with catwalk shows.
You can pick up a Sparks card in store from the launch day, and can manage your membership via the free M&S app or at the website marksandspencer.com/sparks