View source for Gresham Club

{{Short description|London gentlemen's club}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
[[File:The Square Mile in one day (winter 104) (geograph 5226326).jpg|thumb|The club's purpose-built clubhouse at 15 Abchurch Lane, in 2016]]

The '''Gresham Club''' was founded in 1843 and dissolved in 1991. It was named after [[Thomas Gresham]]. The Gresham Club's last site was located on Abchurch Lane off [[King William Street (London)|King William Street]] before it was sold to the London Capital Club, which in turn ceased operation in 2018. Following the closure of the London Capital Club, a number of the members relaunched The Gresham Club in 2018<ref>{{cite web |title=Companies House |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11587966 |website=Companies House |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref> and recreated the ''raison d'être'' of its original predecessor.

==Formation and membership==
[[File:Portretten van Sir Thomas Gresham en Anne Fernely Rijksmuseum SK-A-3118.jpeg|thumb|right|Portrait of [[Thomas Gresham]] by [[Anthonis Mor]]]]

The original Gresham Club was founded in 1843 as a dining club for the professional classes of the City of London,<ref name=GL>[http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/21.htm Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section 21: Clubs and Societies] at history.ac.uk (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> and named after [[Thomas Gresham]], a celebrated [[Elizabethan]] merchant who founded the [[Royal Exchange (London)|Royal Exchange]].<ref name=timbs/><ref name=LCClub/> The club's first president was John Abel Smith (1802–1871), [[member of parliament]] for [[Chichester (UK Parliament constituency)|Chichester]].<ref name="BH" />

In 1853, Charles Manby Smith located the Gresham Club as a stepping-stone in a successful Londoner's sequence of increasingly elite memberships.<ref>Smith, Charles Manby, ''Curiosities of London Life, or Phases, Physiological and Social of the Great Metropolis'' (1853) online at [http://www.victorianlondon.org/publications/curiosities-32.htm Victorian London – Publications – Social Investigation/Journalism – Curiosities of London Life, or Phases, Physiological and Social of the Great Metropolis, by Charles Manby Smith, 1853: UNFASHIONABLE CLUBS] (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> – {{blockquote|...from having been wise enough to join the grocer's Plum-pudding Club, they shall end by becoming prosperous enough to join the Whittington Club, or the Gresham Club, or the [[Athenaeum Club, London|Athenaeum Club]], or the [[Travellers' Club]]; or the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], or the [[House of Lords]] either.}}

In 1879, the entrance fee was 20 [[Guinea (British coin)|guineas]] and the annual subscription six guineas, as reported by [[Charles Dickens, Jr.]], in ''Dickens's Dictionary of London'' (1879).<ref>[[Charles Dickens Jr.|Dickens Jr., Charles]], ''Dickens's Dictionary of London'' (1879) quoted at [http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/dickens-greshamclub.htm Victorian London – Directories – Dickens's Dictionary of London, by Charles Dickens, Jr., 1879 – "Gresham Club"] (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> – {{blockquote|Gresham Club is composed of merchants, bankers, and other gentlemen of known respectability. No candidate is eligible until he has attained the age of twenty-one years. Election by ballot of the members, of whom 30 must actually vote. One [[Blackballing|black ball]] in ten shall exclude. Entrance fee, £21; subscription, £6 6s.}}

==Premises==
[[File:Gresham clubhouse, 1844.png|thumb|Perspective view of the Gresham clubhouse, from ''The Builder'', March 1844]]
The newly established club commissioned a clubhouse at 1 [[King William Street (London)|King William Street]], on the corner of St. Swithin's Lane.<ref name=BH>'Bartholomew Lane and Lombard Street', Old and New London: Volume 1 (1878), pp. 522-530, online at [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=45063 british-history.ac.uk report 45063] (accessed 14 January 2008): "The first stone of the Gresham Club House, No. 1, King William Street, corner of St. Swithin's Lane, was laid in 1844, the event being celebrated by a dinner at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate Street, the Lord Mayor, Sir William Magnay, in the chair. The club was at first under the presidency of John Abel Smith, Esq., M.P. The building was erected from the design of Mr. Henry Flower, architect."</ref> The architect was Henry Flower, and the beginning of construction in 1844 was marked by a dinner at the Albion Tavern, at which Sir [[Sir William Magnay, 1st Baronet|William Magnay]], [[Lord Mayor of London]], presided.<ref name=BH/><ref>''The Gresham Club House'' in ''[[Illustrated London News]]'', 17 February 1844.</ref>

[[John Timbs]] wrote in 1855<ref name=timbs>[[John Timbs|Timbs, John]], ''Curiosities of London: exhibiting the most rare and remarkable objects of interest in the metropolis; with nearly Fifty Years' Personal Recollections'' (London, David Bogue, 1855), p. 195</ref> – {{blockquote|G<small>RESHAM </small>C<small>LUB-HOUSE</small>, St Swithin's-lane, King-William-street, City, was built in 1844, for the Club named after Sir Thomas Gresham, who founded the Royal Exchange. The Club consists chiefly of merchants and professional men. The style of the Club-house (H. Flower, architect) is Italian, from portions of two palaces in Venice.}}

The site of the first clubhouse is now occupied by the main London office of [[N M Rothschild & Sons]].<ref>[http://www.rothschild.com/groupprivatebanking/?id=globallocations/UK Rothschild Global Locations:UK] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917141140/http://www.rothschild.com/groupprivatebanking/?id=globallocations%2FUK |date=17 September 2008}} at rothschild.com (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> The club was reported to keep a fine wine-cellar.<ref>Smith, Philippa, (ed.) [http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/newsletter4.htm Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section Electronic Newsletter, Issue No. 4 Summer 2006] (accessed 14 January 2008): "Not unexpectedly, the Vintners' Company kept fine cellars, as did many other livery companies, the Gresham Club and Sion College."</ref> In 1913, a Mr. L. Price, called 'the doyen of billiard stewards', achieved 60 years service with club, then housed in Gresham Place.<ref>''The Billiard Monthly'', January, 1914: Jottings of the Month: online at [http://www.eaba.co.uk/mags/bm/1914/01/jottingsOfTheMonth.html January, 1914: Jottings of the Month] (accessed 14 January 2008): "Mr L. Price, the doyen of billiard stewards, completed sixty years' service at the Gresham Club, Gresham Place, E.C. on 9 November 1913. No member is now living who was connected with the club when Mr Price entered its service in 1853."</ref> In 1915, the club moved to a new purpose-built clubhouse at 15 Abchurch Lane, near [[Cannon Street station]].<ref name="LCClub">[http://www.londoncapitalclub.com/about_us/35.cntns History] at londoncapitalclub.com (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> The club remained there until it closed in 1991.<ref name="LCClub" />

==Dissolution==
After the [[Second World War]], the gentlemen's clubs of London fell into a decline.<ref>[http://www.nd.edu/~ndlondon/londoncentre/history.htm University of Notre Dame London Centre] at nd.edu (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> The Gresham Club was "a faded place offering school dinners and port".<ref>[http://www.growthbusiness.co.uk/18456/part_2/network-your-way-to-the-top.thtml Growth Business, Monday 20 June 2005: Network your way to the top] at growthbusiness.co.uk (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> By 1991, its membership had fallen and the remaining members decided to dissolve the club.<ref name=LCClub/> Its members were offered membership of the [[City University Club]], many of them taking this offer.

On 23 October 1992, the "Gresham Club (In Dissolution)" was given a [[listed building]] consent to remove 11 glass chandeliers on the ground, first, and second floors of 15 Abchurch Lane.<ref name=planning>[http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/our_services/development_planning/planning_apps/register/data/20/2092.htm Corporation of London: Extract from the Planning Register – Site Reference 2092] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040818050612/http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/our_services/development_planning/planning_apps/register/data/20/2092.htm |date=18 August 2004}} at cityoflondon.gov.uk (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref>

The club's records were deposited in the [[Guildhall Library]], which under accession reference ''L 24 MSS 28834-28864'' holds papers for the years 1844-1845 and 1905–1991, described as: "minute books, subscription books, legal papers, financial papers, Staff Benevolent Fund accounts and misc papers".<ref name=GL/><ref>[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/subjectView.asp?ID=O53446 Gresham Club, London] at nationalarchives.gov.uk (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref>

==The Gresham Club today==
The re-formed Gresham Club is a private members club for professionals, 'stimulating social and business interaction amongst like-minded members and their guests'.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gresham Club |url=https://www.thegresham.club/ |website=The Gresham Club |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref>
The Club is currently a nomadic dining club that meets monthly for a Club Table at a different venue each month.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Gresham Club |url=https://www.thegresham.club/ |website=The Gresham Club |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref> Venues include The [[Army and Navy Club]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Eventbrite |url=https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gresham-club-table-at-the-army-and-navy-club-tickets-354927125587 |website=Eventbrite |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref> The [[Caledonian Club]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Happening Next |url=https://happeningnext.com/event/aprils-gresham-club-table-returns-to-the-caledonian-club-eid4snvbplv251 |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref> and London Scottish [[Horseferry Road drill hall]].<ref>{{cite web |title=League of Angels |url=https://theleagueofangels.com/event/partner-event-the-gresham-club-ceilidh-night-fri-5-july-2019-2-2-2-2-3/ |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref> In October 2020 Members of the Gresham Club set up the registered charity - the [https://www.greshambenevolentfund.org/ Gresham Benevolent Fund]  approved as charity number [https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5165278?p_p_auth=CaeACpTb 1192072]. The charity has a separate governance structure to the Club but is largely supported by Gresham Club Members.
==Later use of the Abchurch Lane clubhouse==
On 18 February 1993, "Abchur Flat Gibr", represented by Wright Hassall & Co., Solicitors, of [[Leamington Spa]], was granted a [[Development control in the United Kingdom|certificate of lawful development]] for the use of the former club's premises at 15 Abchurch Lane, as "members licensed dining club for the purposes of dining drinking socialising and playing snooker".<ref name=planning/> In 1993, the clubhouse was acquired by CCA Holdings, who found it in need of renovation and refurbishment.<ref name="LCClub" /> The development was funded by the International Club Company of [[Hong Kong]], founded in 1980 by Dieter Klostermann.<ref>[http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/1994/01/27/5988/capital-club-targets-city.html Capital Club targets City], dated 27 January 1994, at caterersearch.com (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref> The company owns and operates many clubs around the world, including businessmen's clubs, golf clubs and country clubs.

On 21 October 1993, Capital Club of London Ltd was given a listed building consent for 15 Abchurch Lane, described as "Repairs and restoration of interior and exterior of building which is to be retained as members' dining club. Installation of new roof plant and screening" and also planning permission for "installation of roof plant and screen".<ref name="planning" /> The new interior was designed by Peter Inston.<ref>[http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/1994/08/25/32389/secret.html Secret] at caterersearch.com (accessed 14 January 2008): "The Capital Club, a lush, business-oriented club opening in the City in September, is backed by a Far Eastern consortium, CCA International, that owns 170 clubs around the world. This is its first foray into Europe. Peter Inston, hotel stalwart, is designing the reworked interior of a five-storey 1915 building near Bank, that started life as the Gresham Club."</ref> In September 1994, the building was re-opened as the London Capital Club, a private members' club with similarities to the old Gresham Club but a more modern approach and a different management structure.<ref name="LCClub" /> On the death of [[Peter Parker (British businessman)|Peter Parker]] in 2002, [[Angela Knight]], a former [[Economic Secretary to the Treasury]], succeeded as the club's chairman.<ref>[http://www.apcims.co.uk/public/publications/qreview/jul02.pdf Q Review, July 2002] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810051229/http://www.apcims.co.uk/public/publications/qreview/jul02.pdf |date=10 August 2007}} online at apcims.co.uk (accessed 14 January 2008)</ref>

In the spring of 2018 the London Capital Club premises in Abchurch Lane were sold to the [[Royal Philatelic Society]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The London Capital Club – PERMANENTLY CLOSED The City Bars – Default |url=https://www.innerplace.co.uk/personal-concierge/bars/the-london-capital-club-permanently-closed/ |website=innerplace.co.uk |access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Society |url=https://www.rpsl.org.uk/TheSociety |website=rpsl.org.uk |access-date=6 March 2021}}</ref>
The building contains a memorial to the 77 members of the Gresham Club that served in The [[Great War]].<ref>{{cite web |title=War Memorials Trust |url=https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/259182 |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref> With the help of funding from the [[War Memorials Trust]] the memorial was refurbished, and was re-dedicated on 7th December 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=The Royal Philatelic Society |url=https://www.rpsl.org.uk/rpsl/PressReleases/RPSL-Press-Release_20221209.pdf |access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref> by the [[Bishop of London]], the Rt Revd and Rt Hon. Dame [[Sarah Mullally]].

==See also==
*[[List of gentlemen's clubs in London]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{City of London gentlemen's clubs of London}}

{{coords|51.5119|-0.0881|display=title}}

[[Category:Gentlemen's clubs in London]]
[[Category:1843 establishments in England]]
[[Category:History of the City of London]]