Dowling launches members’ clubs chain

08-May-2011 - Last updated on 09-May-2011 at 08:49 GMT

Dowling: fresh outlook

Frank Dowling, the entrepreneur behind Inc Group, the London-based bar and restaurant group, is launching a chain of members’ clubs under new company, the Alphabet Group.

The new company, separate from the Inc Group, will launch three clubs and bars in London over the next three months — Alphabet City at The O2, the Battery Club in Canary Wharf in May, and the Gresham Club in the City in July.

The clubs and bars are expected to be the first of a chain planned for London.

Accessible

Dowling said: “We had the opportunity to take larger spaces at both the O2 and Canary Wharf, which made us look at the possibility of launching a members’ club.

“The clubs will not be overpriced, but will be fresh and accessible. More than 2,000 people have already pre-registered for membership. We have already had enquiries regarding opening further sites in London and also on the Continent in places such as Amsterdam.”

Alphabet City and the Battery Club will have the capacity for up to 500 people, whilst the Gresham will hold between 200 and 300.

Dowling said that Inc Group, which operates 17 bars and restaurants, with the majority based in Greenwich and the O2, continued to trade well and would open its latest site — Madison — at the One New Change shopping complex based in the City in May.

The company will operate the all-day restaurant and a café on the roof of the venue.

Mark Wingett is associate editor of BigHospitality's sister publication, M&C Report .