What: Westminster City Council grants Selfridges permission to convert office space into an exclusive members' club with dining and terrace facilities at its Oxford Street flagship.

Why it is important: This development reflects a strategic shift in luxury retail, where department stores are creating exclusive spaces to capture high-value customers who generate 25% of sales, while maximizing revenue from existing real estate.

Selfridges has secured approval from Westminster City Council to transform its current staff office space into an exclusive membership venue at its flagship London store. The development, part of a broader plan to launch a new shopping and social destination on Duke Street, will feature a terrace and private dining facilities. The space, located in the 1930s SWOD building extension, will include an internal bar and lounge accommodating 80 covers, a private dining room and terrace with 14 covers, and an external dining terrace seating 50 people. Operating hours will extend from 8am to 12:30am Sunday to Thursday, and until 1:30am on Friday and Saturday. The project, backed by owners Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Thailand's Central Group, demonstrates Selfridges' commitment to evolving its retail offering. The 50-year approval for either membership club or retail usage provides flexibility for future adaptations, ensuring the historic property's continued relevance in London's competitive luxury retail landscape.

IADS Notes: Selfridges' approval for a private members' club marks a significant evolution in its customer engagement strategy. The development follows the successful launch of their 'Selfridges Unlocked' loyalty programme in February 2025, which pioneered a new approach to customer rewards through both purchases and experiences . The timing is particularly strategic, as industry data from May 2025 revealed that the top 1% of customers generate approximately 25% of department store sales, validating significant investment in premium spaces . The '40 Duke' project, announced in June 2025, represents a broader transformation in luxury retail engagement, featuring extensive dining spaces and extended operating hours that cater to evolving post-pandemic consumer preferences for exclusive, private environments.

Selfridges wins approval for private members’ club