Help Our Hospitality: ‘This industry is all about community and providing an escape from your home and work bubble’

For this week’s Help Our Hospitality campaign story, this newspaper spoke to Cheyne Walk Club – a private members’ club that has evolved over almost a century.

The club, in Cheyne Walk, was founded in 1929 by Northampton’s Chamber of Commerce for business owners and managers.

Now, it prides itself on being inclusive of all and offers a place to relax with friends, host a special lunch or dinner, or play snooker.

It also acts as a venue for family events, parties and corporate meetings, maintaining its roots in business.

Although the club recognises paying a monthly or annual membership fee may be difficult financially, there are many benefits that come with it and it gives members shared ownership in the venue – as it is no longer owned by the Chamber of Commerce.

James Tarry, who first visited the club around two decades ago and became vice chair eight years ago, said: “The best way to support hospitality venues is simply by going out.

“The industry is all about community, which is so important. It’s about having somewhere to go outside of your home and workplace – and escaping from that one bubble.

“There is a sense of community in every hospitality venue, but it’s easier to establish at a place or group you are joining deliberately.

“You have a voice when you join Cheyne Walk Club.”

The club describes itself as “diverse and friendly” and membership is open to anyone.

For an inclusive annual membership, which includes 10 percent off food and drink, it is £170.

You can pay less to become a social member without the food and drink discounts, or pay more to become a business lounge member and have access to office spaces – costing £40 per month.

“Membership is tailored to each individual’s needs,” said James.

To broaden its offering, the club has recently introduced a new selection of food and this has been spearheaded by AJ Foodi, an open fire cooking enthusiast.

The venue needed someone to take control of the kitchen and improve the menu, and AJ Foodi has invested a lot in making the kitchen “up to date”.

“Casual eating out is more popular than formal dining now,” said James. “This project has been a slow burner to get to where it needs to be.

“The new barbecue-inspired menu has been up and running for a few weeks, and business in the evenings has started to pick up.”

The menu is also available for takeaway and customers are always invited in to see what the club is all about upon collection.

Cheyne Walk Club is also committed to providing a safe environment for its members, particularly young females.

James said: “It is a locked building and no one from the street could enter freely. The staff are all trained in looking after people who need medical support.

“When you go to other night time venues, you do not know who is around and they do not offer the same secure environment.”

The club moved away from being exclusively for ‘gentlemen’ in 1943 and has not looked back since.

There has been an acknowledgement that networking has evolved, and the space can be used in as formal or informal a way as the members choose.

If members would prefer to use the venue for socialising, they can visit the bar, play snooker, or join the bridge or pool team.

Afternoon teas and supper clubs are also frequently held.

Looking to the future, the club wants to invest in and develop its offering further – to ensure the venue looks as vibrant as it can.

As much of it remains as it was when the club was founded in 1929, James admits they want to make some changes “without losing the venue’s heritage”.

“The fact it hasn’t changed makes it characterful,” he said.

James and the team at Cheyne Walk Club were keen to get behind the Chronicle & Echo’s Help Our Hospitality campaign, to promote the uniqueness of what they have to offer.

Though they realise the cost of living crisis has made it difficult to fork out for hospitality membership of this kind, they would urge anyone in the position to afford it to consider the wellbeing benefits of being part of a community.

If any hospitality venues would like to get involved with this campaign, email [email protected].