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London wine club 67 Pall Mall to remain open, quoting Churchill

17 March 2020 By Patrick Schmitt

Despite the escalating Covid-19 crisis in London, private members’ wine club 67 Pall Mall has today announced its decision to stay open with rousing words from wartime British statesman Winston Churchill.

In an email sent to all members by 67 Pall Mall founder and CEO Grant Ashton, it was stated that in was in both the interests of the club’s customers and its staff to stay open.

Ashton wrote, “We believe that our two foremost responsibilities as a business is to you, our members, and our duty of care to our staff by keeping them all fully employed.”

Having acknowledged the Government advice is to “stop non-essential contact with others”, he said that the club has “taken measures to increase the ‘social distance’ between tables by removing several tables from the members’ lounge and the clubroom, and every third stool at both our bars.”

He commented, “We recognise that whilst it isn’t recommended, there will be occasions where members have a requirement to meet people, and we wish to provide as safe an environment as possible to allow them to do so.”

Signing off the missive, which also outlined the club’s more rigorous cleaning regime, Ashton said, “As the UK comes to terms with the war footing with which we are now facing I am reminded of Pol Roger’s biggest fan, Winston Churchill, who famously had a phrase that he used at the start of each day and at the end every telephone conversation: ‘Keep buggering on!’ Wise words.

“Keep yourself safe and I hope to see you (from a safe distance) soon…”