London’s Commonwealth Club is to close, as the club’s owner, the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), struggles to rein in its costs. The building, on Northumberland Avenue in central London, dates back to 1868 and has housed the RCS since 1922.
As well as housing the society, the club has private members’ facilities and rents out rooms for events.
In a letter to RCS members, chairman Peter Kellner said: “At the AGM last year the council members presented plans to restore financial stability to the society by selling the leasehold on 17-21 Northumberland Avenue and ending our rental agreement on 25 Northumberland Avenue. It was judged to be essential to do this in order to ensure a future for the society.”
He continued: “We all have a great affection for the premises. We have not taken these steps lightly. However, the first duty of the trustees is to secure the viability of the Society. This is what we have done.”
The RCS is an international education charity, which aims to promote international understanding across the Commonwealth, especially among young people.
It runs competitions to encourage young people in writing, fi lm and photography and runs a youth leadership programme, bringing together 18 to 25-year-olds from across the globe.
The society is funded by membership fees, as well as commercial events held in the Commonwealth Club. Some projects also receive funding from external donors and partners.
