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Inside story of the Groucho Club's closure and allegations of a troubling crime that could be the REAL reason police suddenly decided to shut the infamous celebrity-filled Soho haunt
After nearly 40 years of hedonism, mad behaviour and wall-to-wall celebrities, Soho's last bastion of proper, unfettered fun has been shut down.
Founded by a group of publishers and agents – including Carmen Callil, Ed Victor, Liz Calder and Michael Sissons – who wanted a 'congenial refuge', somewhere fun and unstuffy for both men and women, it was new and exciting. For a long time, the club's ever-burning flame was fanned by swathes of writers, musicians and artists, many of whom – Tracey Emin, Francis Bacon, Gavin Turk, Gordon Cheung – donated amazing works of art that Bernie would hang on the walls, often in return for membership. Certainly it will be harder for the new rotating band of staff to know the trouble makers, or master the delicate balancing act of allowing 'exuberant' members to let their hair down, have fun and make the place feel 'cool', while retaining control and keeping everyone safe.
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