Speculation over just who has bought the site of Foubert's on Chiswick High Road may be about to come to an end. According to a report in The Business magazine the property now belongs to the Soho House group.

The Soho House group which was founded by Nick Jones has an ultra-trendy club in the West End as well as a boutique hotel and club in New York and a luxury spa hotel in Somerset, Babington House.

Originally there was widespread speculation that local celebrity duo, Ant and Dec had purchased the site £6 million site which has been rumoured to be for sale for several years. Now the report by business journalist, Rupert Steiner, claims that Nick Jones has just exchanged on the freehold of the property.

The purchase and development of the club is reportedly being funded in part by former BBC chairman and Goldman Sachs parnter, Gavyn Davies as well as Tom Singh who is founder of the New Look group. Davies, a close friend of the Chancellor, is apparently contributing £7.5 million and Singh is investing £15 million. The group is planning expansion in less glamourous locations than Chiswick such as Miami and Los Angeles. Currently Singh and Davies both control 35% of the group's equity.

A spokesperson for Soho House told us, " I cannot confirm any purchase in Chiswick, however the Soho House Group is interested in expanding and opening further Clubs both in London and worldwide."

June 27, 2005