Secretive Fashion Event at Prestigious Hurlingham Club Gets Green Light
An exclusive private members' club in West London has secured council approval to host a major one-off event for a confidential high-end fashion brand, with mystery surrounding both the brand's identity and the event location until the last possible moment.
Council Approves 1,500-Person Event Despite Local Concerns
The Hurlingham Club in South Fulham, which reportedly counts Kate Middleton among its members, received permission from Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee to host the invite-only event for approximately 1,200-1,500 guests. The approval came during a meeting on Tuesday, February 24, where councillors reviewed the application despite two formal objections from local residents concerned about noise and disruption on a Tuesday evening.
One objector representing a nearby residential block wrote: "Surely this level of disruption should not be encouraged," highlighting concerns about additional noise and activity. In response, the club amended its original proposal to end licensable activities by 11pm instead of 1:30am, with the premises closing thirty minutes later.
Mystery Brand and Arrival Logistics
Legal representatives from Keystone Law, acting on behalf of The Hurlingham Club, revealed that the event is for a "long-standing, mature brand" rather than a new startup or TikTok-style company, though they declined to name the specific fashion house. The confidentiality extends to guests, who reportedly won't know the event location until closer to the scheduled June 16/17 dates.
Niall McCann of Keystone Law told the sub-committee: "As the invitees will not know the location of the event until nearer the time, the name of the host company is being kept confidential." He added that the client has arranged for a West End venue to accommodate attendees later in the evening, with guests expected to leave in a staggered manner via chauffeur and taxi services.
Transport Planning and Noise Monitoring
The club's planning documents indicate that approximately 80% of guests will arrive by boat along the River Thames, with the remaining attendees coming by car. This transportation strategy aims to reduce vehicle buildup around the 42-acre property, which features landscaped grounds along the Thames in South Fulham.
Piers Wilson, Chief Finance Officer at The Hurlingham Club, confirmed the expectation of 1,200 attendees during the evening. The club has committed to monitoring noise impacts throughout the event and recording any actions taken to address issues that may arise.
Financial Necessity and Community Relations
In a letter addressing objectors' concerns about profit motives, Keystone Law explained: "As is generally the case, this application has been made with a view to profit. Whilst the applicant is in a privileged position of having healthy membership numbers, the large clubhouse and substantial grounds are very expensive to maintain and the hosting of events is essential in ensuring its survival."
The letter emphasized that the club balances financial needs with its "primary objective of being a 'good neighbour'," noting that it "does not want to damage the relationship it has built with local residents over decades for a quick financial gain." Neither of the two objectors attended the licensing meeting where councillors ultimately approved the application in full.
Historic Club Background
The Hurlingham Club, established in 1869, is recognized as "one of the world's finest private member clubs" and is considered the birthplace of polo. The institution spans 42 acres of landscaped grounds along the River Thames and features croquet and tennis lawns, botanical gardens, and a stately Georgian Clubhouse for members.
Despite its exclusive reputation and royal connections, the club maintains that hosting events like the upcoming fashion brand gathering is financially necessary to maintain its extensive facilities and grounds. The approved event represents a significant undertaking for the historic institution, blending luxury fashion with traditional London club culture while navigating local community concerns.
