Clubland dips its toe in modernity

The only thing worse than not wearing the club tie was taking a mobile telephone call or attempting to "conduct business" within their hallowed portals. But is this all about to change?

The arrival of brash upstarts such as the Groucho in the Eighties and more recently Shoreditch House and Home House has forced the traditional establishments to offer members a more 21st century package and Peter Owen, chairman of the Association of London Clubs, says there has been a widespread relaxation of rules on business dealings within such institutions.

"Yes I think you'll find a lot of clubs, but not all, have what is called a study or a room where members are able to use a laptop and sit and talk [business]," explains Owen, who is also general manager of the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly.

"And of course clubs have always had private rooms which members can book, or they can just come in and sit down and are actually allowed to talk business.

"In most clubs - us included - it is forbidden to discuss business in the dining room or bring in papers and put them all over the table. That sort of thing." He also says rules have become easier and that members can "open their briefcase, use their laptop and their mobile even".

So what has prompted this electrifying change coursing through clubland? Owen says: "I think it's the pressure of life in most cases. The pace of life is much faster than it used to be and the idea of people going to their club at lunch for a leisurely time to talk to their friends is getting a bit scarce. Now they have to work. I think that's probably the truthful answer."

But he is adamant that clubs have a future as rosy as their past which in some cases stretches back to 1696. Many have reported rising membership and Owen says: "I think most clubs had a good 2009. Historically in previous recessions clubs did okay." He added that companies looking to cut the costs of their senior managers staying at expensive London hotels and using restaurants would be only too happy for them to save money and use their club instead.

The Royal Air Force Club boasts a "study" complete with wi-fi and conference rooms and this year will have internet access in all the bedrooms. "We're looking to keep up to speed and provide what our members are demanding," Owen says. "Most clubs today are much more cognisant of their members needs."

Mark Anderson, secretary of The Landsdowne Club in Mayfair, says members may conduct business in certain areas of the club.

"We have moved slightly into the 21st century as we have a business centre that is available seven days of the week. The whole club is wireless. But mobile telephones have a very restricted use. Members are allowed to conduct business within certain rooms in the club."

Has the desire among members to do business in clubs changed? "Very much so," says Anderson. "It's grown more and more, the demand from the members. Whereas beforehand members I suppose would have to leave the club to conduct business they are now conducting business within the club."

But he does try to keep rooms for those with the more old-fashioned requirement of, "reading a newspaper in the afternoon and falling asleep".

Anderson says membership is on the rise despite the credit crunch: "Members are reverting to somewhere they feel comfortable in a relaxed environment, and it's reasonably priced."

But it seems there are some corners of clubland which are determined to resist the tide of modernity. "Doing business is not encouraged, no. You're not allowed to use mobile telephones, as it's against the rules. The club is a social place only," says a spokesman for the Chelsea Arts Club.

And a spokesman for The Garrick in the West End says: "Members are not allowed to conduct business in the club or use mobile telephones."

Judges and actors are obviously not going to put business before pleasure no matter how grim the downturn.