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Business Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Members-only social clubs: Conversations, passions and why they're ‘so badly needed'
[SINGAPORE] The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and activity on the private members-only club scene. To the shock of staff and members, 1880 abruptly closed after racking up debt when it expanded to Hong Kong and Bali. Then came the good news that its staff are partnering the former club's landlord to reopen it under a different name next month, and its 2000-plus members can transfer their memberships to the new business. Amid the turbulence, 67 Pall Mall and Mandala Club both announced expansion plans. 67 Pall Mall, which started a decade ago in London, will open in Shanghai. It also has an outpost in Verbier, Switzerland and three others coming up in Melbourne, Australia and France's Bordeaux and Beaune. Meanwhile, Mandala Club will spend S$2 million to take over its neighbour's building in Bukit Pasoh to expand its footprint by 50 per cent, and is also building a beachfront property in Bali, which will have a 35-key hotel component. Both 67 Pall Mall and Mandala Club say their membership base is about equally split between locals and expatriates, and members can use the facilities at its clubs outside Singapore. There's even a new private club in the works. Vanta, which positions itself as an 'invite-only private members club', held a preview in May and is slated to open in the fourth quarter. And when the new club at the former 1880 premises opens in Robertson Quay, it's not going to be business as usual either. The plan is to raise the club to the next level by focusing on the membership experience and curating the right mix of members to bring out the magic of being part of a community. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Don't worry, we make money For starters, private clubs here are profitable. Ben Jones, chief executive and founder of The Mandala Group, has said the club is 'in the healthiest profitability and capitalised situation we've ever been' and 'can fund potential growth or merger and acquisition strategies'. Earlier this year, the club joined the Icon1c Group – a luxury hospitality collective co-founded with tech entrepreneur Patrick Grove's Kuala Lumpur-based Internet company, Catcha Group. 'With the backing of Icon1c, this is not just added space – it's a strategic investment in the future of our flagship and a reflection of Mandala's position as a cultural and social platform with regional resonance,' says Jones. Over at 67 Pall Mall, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation stood at just over S$5 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024, with a net profit of S$1.8 million. 'Is it a good business? Yes, if you're in the right location, got the right products, curate your members and make sure they stay happy,' founder and chief executive Grant Ashton tells The Business Times. Its programming is centred around wine, with its masterclasses – a recent one costing S$1,250 a seat – usually full. Even the local operations of 1880 were believed to be profitable, thus attracting a few potential buyers before it was placed into provisional liquidation. Still, 67 Pall Mall, which opened in Shaw Centre in 2022, is halving its entry fees for new members to S$2,000, but raising monthly subscription fees for them by S$60 to S$360. 'The reality is that we have capacity at this point in time,' says Ashton, a former banker. 'Because, as you can see, the F&B scene is softer – witness 1880 and all the other things that have gone on in terms of restaurants.' The ties that bind Dinesh Sathisan, a founding member of 1880, says the club 'was a breath of fresh air' when it opened in 2017 – at a time when people wanted to join 'the big old neocolonial clubs where there's a long waitlist to get in, you spend a lot of money and it came with a whole slew of restrictions'. 'The very essence of 1880 when it started out, which is to build a network through conversations, was very, very appealing,' says Sathisan, who works in international affairs. The notion of privacy and discretion was also a draw, and he could relax, conduct meetings and network at the club. 'You meet like-minded people who, for example, attend a talk by the Ukrainian ambassador about the Ukraine war. These people are interested in foreign affairs and there would be an extension of those discussions taking place in the club. And that, for many of us, was brilliant.' Meanwhile, on the social side of things, there were 'great events', theme parties and 'an absolutely amazing' executive chef in the form of Colin Buchan. Sathisan's also a founding member of 67 Pall Mall, which he says does not claim to be what it's not. 'They're very clear that it's a wine lovers' club.' For another 1880 member, access to a diverse group of people from very different backgrounds, nationalities and businesses was attractive. As was the fact that as a single working female in Singapore, the club was a safe space to both conduct business and socialise with friends. 'The service you get at places like 1880 was on a different level. All the staff members know you personally and it's like a second home,' says Juliet Stannard, who's also a member of Tanglin Club. 'The food was always excellent and a step up from other restaurants or bars that you would go to.' Sometimes, it's a specific passion – and a younger demographic – that matters. At just 29, avid wine lover Kuo Tzu-En is already a member of wine societies including Commanderie de Bordeaux Singapore, on whose council she sits. Still, she put her name on 67 Pall Mall's waitlist before she got her membership. 'I joined because it's a very good place for socialising, there are many young members and lots of wine tastings and events,' says Kuo, who's also a member of The American Club. 67 Pall Mall's wine list of 5,000 by the bottle, of which 1,000 can be had by the glass, is another draw. 'You can still try a glass of the more expensive wines if you don't have the spending power to open a bottle.' Tony Morris, another 67 Pall Mall member, joined after visiting the club in London. 'Wine is a journey of discovery and the club's sommeliers are very well-equipped in terms of knowledge and experience to guide you,' says Morris, who runs an investment firm. While a market observer has wondered if the business model of expanding overseas is right for members-only clubs which should be a high-touch experience, Morris says: 'Be it here, London or Verbier, the locations are fantastic and you consistently get that warm, friendly welcome.' Shaken and stirred, but still palatable While 1880's sudden closure has caused some gnashing of teeth, it hasn't quite put the fear of a repeat elsewhere. 'I think 67 Pall Mall has got its head screwed on correctly,' says Kuo, who helps run her family's businesses. Morris concurs. He bought a stake in the club, whose other shareholders include the Les Amis Group. 'This is not a project that's unbacked, as it were, taking on large debts and so on,' he explains, adding that shareholders are able to ask questions and challenge the way the club is run during its annual general meetings. 'There are checks and balances and you're not at the mercy of financial markets or institutions. The club is genuinely supported by people who like to be in it, which gives it a very different atmosphere.' Even the shock of 1880's closure isn't putting Stannard off club memberships. 'A club like 1880 is so badly needed because they offer something different, like curated discussion panels and events that you won't necessarily get under one roof with other regular F&B places,' explains the director of a real estate agency. 'It's so unique.' Sathisan says everyone's waiting to see where the new club goes in the next three or four months after it reopens. 'But I think we're all quietly confident. It has built a very strong network of very interesting people and it would be a shame to lose them all now as a result of what happened.'
Fox News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
‘The Dukes of Hazzard' actor Rick Hurst dead at 79
Richard (Rick) Hurst, an actor known for his role as the endearing Deputy Cletus Hogg in "The Dukes of Hazzard" is dead. He was 79. News of Hurst's death was confirmed to Fox News Digital by his co-star Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport in the popular series. Hurst died on Thursday afternoon. "Rick was a great guy," Jones shared in his statement. "Our show has been an ongoing success for 40 years or so, and Rick was a big part of that … it was very shocking and hurtful to hear his passing. He was just with us last week, and it was unexpected." 'DUKES OF HAZZARD' ACTOR PROTECTED CO-STAR CATHERINE BACH ON RISE TO FAMEJones continued, "He was a great human being … good-hearted… generous … always a friend I would stick up for… he was in the business of making people happy. He was a wonderful comic and comic actor." The cause of death is unknown at this time. He also shared a statement on Cooter's Pigeon Forge Facebook page – a "Dukes of Hazzard" themed museum owned by Jones. "It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process', as the current expression goes," Jones wrote."I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn't a minute of that time that he didn't leave me smiling or laughing. Sure, he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas," his heartfelt tribute continued. The statement continued in part, "We have always thought of our Cooter's friends as 'Hazzard Nation', Well, Hazzard Nation is sure going to miss Rick Hurst down here around 'Cooters', but his presence will always be near us. Rest in Peace, old friend!" "The Dukes of Hazzard" actor's death comes one week before he was set to make an appearance at a fan event in Tennessee, Fox News Digital has learned. Tributes continue to pour in, including from Hurst's "Dukes of Hazzard" co-star John Schneider. "I just this moment heard about the passing of dear Rick Hurst, a.k.a. Cletus Hogg. You were remarkable force for humanity, sanity and comedy my friend. Heaven is a safer and more organized place with you in it. We'll keep the race going and people laughing until we meet again! Love you," he wrote about his dear friend on Facebook. Hurst was born in Houston, Texas, and played the role of Deputy Cletus Hogg in "The Dukes of Hazzard" in the late 1970s. He later reprised his role throughout the 1980s. His other film credits include "Steel Magnolias" and "In the Line of Fire." Hurst has several television show appearances, including "Sanford and Son," "The Partridge Family," "M*A*S*H," "Gunsmoke" and "The Bob Newhart Show." The actor was married to Katherine Shelley Weir from 1981 until 1991, and his first wife, Catherine Kaniecki, from 1969 until 1979. Hurst is survived by two sons, Ryan and Collin. Ryan was born in June 1976 and is the son of Hurst and Kaniecki. Hurst welcomed Collin later with his second wife, Weir. Both sons followed in their father's acting footsteps, as Ryan appeared in "Sons of Anarchy" and Collin reprised his role in "Dukes" in 1997 and 2000.
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Rick Hurst, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard' star, dead at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, best known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg in the hit sitcom 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died at age 79. His death was confirmed by Ben Jones, his co-star on the show, who posted a message on the Facebook page of the Cooter's Place museum, which is dedicated to the show, on Thursday. 'It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process,' as the current expression goes,' wrote Jones. 'I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn't a minute of that time that he didn't leave me smiling or laughing. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas,' he added. 'He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague,' said Jones, who recalled how 'everything clicked' when Hurst joined the 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast. 'He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon. And since the Dukes is still playing all over the planet, he will continue to make us laugh!' he wrote. 'I don't know about y'all but I believe in an afterlife, and I can see Rick up there in Heaven with Jimmy Best and Sorrell Booke and Denver Pyle, putting on the funniest show inside those Pearly Gates,' he said, referring to other 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast members who have died. 'Rest in Peace, old friend!' added Jones. Hurst had some success early in his acting career, including appearing in 24 episodes of TV series 'On the Rocks' from 1975 to 1976, but it was 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' which follows the fast-driving Duke brothers as they attempt to outrun the authorities in the fictional Hazzard County, that made him a household name. 'The Dukes of Hazzard' cast "The Dukes of Hazzard "stars, left to right, Byron Cherry, Jeff Altman, Rick Hurst, Catherine Bach, John Schneider, and Tom Wopat, pictured in November 2023 (AFF-USA/Shutterstock via CNN Newsource) Hurst appeared in 55 episodes of the CBS series from 1979 to 1982, before leaving to appear in 'Amanda's,' a US remake of the popular British TV series 'Fawlty Towers.' In the decades that followed, he appeared in various TV shows and movies, making his last appearance in a TV short called 'B My Guest' in 2016. By Jack Guy, CNN
CNN
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Rick Hurst, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard' star, dead at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, best known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg in the hit sitcom 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died at age 79. His death was confirmed by Ben Jones, his co-star on the show, who posted a message on the Facebook page of the Cooter's Place museum, which is dedicated to the show, on Thursday. 'It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process,' as the current expression goes,' wrote Jones. 'I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn't a minute of that time that he didn't leave me smiling or laughing. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas,' he added. 'He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague,' said Jones, who recalled how 'everything clicked' when Hurst joined the 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast. 'He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon. And since the Dukes is still playing all over the planet, he will continue to make us laugh!' he wrote. 'I don't know about y'all but I believe in an afterlife, and I can see Rick up there in Heaven with Jimmy Best and Sorrell Booke and Denver Pyle, putting on the funniest show inside those Pearly Gates,' he said, referring to other 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast members who have died. 'Rest in Peace, old friend!' added Jones. Hurst had some success early in his acting career, including appearing in 24 episodes of TV series 'On the Rocks' from 1975 to 1976, but it was 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' which follows the fast-driving Duke brothers as they attempt to outrun the authorities in the fictional Hazzard County, that made him a household name. Hurst appeared in 55 episodes of the CBS series from 1979 to 1982, before leaving to appear in 'Amanda's,' a US remake of the popular British TV series 'Fawlty Towers.' In the decades that followed, he appeared in various TV shows and movies, making his last appearance in a TV short called 'B My Guest' in 2016.
CNN
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Rick Hurst, ‘The Dukes of Hazzard' star, dead at 79
Actor Rick Hurst, best known for playing Deputy Cletus Hogg in the hit sitcom 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' has died at age 79. His death was confirmed by Ben Jones, his co-star on the show, who posted a message on the Facebook page of the Cooter's Place museum, which is dedicated to the show, on Thursday. 'It doesn't seem right that Rick Hurst passed away this afternoon. When something so unexpected happens, it is 'harder to process,' as the current expression goes,' wrote Jones. 'I have known Rick for over 45 years and there wasn't a minute of that time that he didn't leave me smiling or laughing. Sure he was a professional comedian, but mostly he just had a heart as big as Texas,' he added. 'He was a fine actor, a splendid comic, and a wonderfully supportive colleague,' said Jones, who recalled how 'everything clicked' when Hurst joined the 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast. 'He fit right in and never stopped making people smile until this afternoon. And since the Dukes is still playing all over the planet, he will continue to make us laugh!' he wrote. 'I don't know about y'all but I believe in an afterlife, and I can see Rick up there in Heaven with Jimmy Best and Sorrell Booke and Denver Pyle, putting on the funniest show inside those Pearly Gates,' he said, referring to other 'Dukes of Hazzard' cast members who have died. 'Rest in Peace, old friend!' added Jones. Hurst had some success early in his acting career, including appearing in 24 episodes of TV series 'On the Rocks' from 1975 to 1976, but it was 'The Dukes of Hazzard,' which follows the fast-driving Duke brothers as they attempt to outrun the authorities in the fictional Hazzard County, that made him a household name. Hurst appeared in 55 episodes of the CBS series from 1979 to 1982, before leaving to appear in 'Amanda's,' a US remake of the popular British TV series 'Fawlty Towers.' In the decades that followed, he appeared in various TV shows and movies, making his last appearance in a TV short called 'B My Guest' in 2016.
