Singapore’s private members’ club 1880 is set to reopen in August, shortly after announcing its permanent closure.
The club will reopen next month at the same location in Robertson Quay, a popular tourists’ hotspot alongside the Singapore River, a spokesperson told Channel News Asia.
Over 90% of the staff from the closed club are expected to return to work at the new establishment, the spokesperson added.
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People dance in 1880, a Singapore private club. Photo from Instagram/1880singapore |
But the three co-founders of the original 1880 – Marc Nicholson, Jean Low, and Luke Jones – will not be part of the new venture.
The Singapore club shut down in mid-June after almost eight years in business.
“The club and all its operations will cease immediately. Please do not come to the premises as the doors will be locked,” Canadian founder Nicholson told employees at the time, as reported by The Straits Times.
1880 told employees that the closure was triggered by “trending down” member spending and visits, coupled with unsuccessful attempts to secure new investors or a buyer for the club.
With no additional funds to cover staff or supplier payments, 1880 stated it had “no alternative but to close.”
It had hosted notable speakers such as former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, veteran diplomats Kishore Mahbubani and Bilahari Kausikan, and Sara Jane Ho, host of Netflix’s Mind Your Manners.
In the end of May, the Hong Kong branch of 1880 also closed less than a year after its launch.
The Hong Kong business entered liquidation with debts of approximately HKD20 million (US$2.5 million), according to the South China Morning Post.
It reportedly owed rent and two months’ salaries to 100 employees.
