Birmingham Press Club agrees new partnership with city institution
Two of the oldest and most prestigious members clubs in Birmingham are linking up.
St Paul’s Club, formed in 1859, is Birmingham’s oldest and only private dining club. It is linking up with Birmingham Press Club.
The partnership will see the two clubs collaborate on future ventures.
Birmingham Press Club, founded in 1865, is the oldest Press Club in the world but has been without a permanent home for many years.
The collaboration with St Paul’s Club offers it the perfect solution to its problem.
Offering its members dining, conference and office facilities as well as links to clubs in other parts of the UK and overseas, St Paul’s Club stands in a listed building in the historic St Paul’s Square in the city’s Jewellery Quarter.
The partnership will see the Press Club adopt St Paul’s Club as its official home and act as a base for many of its meetings, including its ‘first Thursday’ networking sessions.
Members of Birmingham Press Club, which is sponsored by HSBC Bank, will have the option of applying for membership of St Paul’s Club.
Llewela Bailey, chairman of Birmingham Press Club, said: “St Paul’s Club is a fantastic treasure and the facilities are superb combined with its wonderful food, traditions and rooms that go back to an age of elegance and
The former Central News presenter was appointed last year as the first female chairman of the Press Club. Ironically, one of the first members of St Paul’s Club she met was Sarah Whitticase, who has just completed a two-year term as the first female president of St Paul’s Club.
Philip Barnett, the new president of St Paul’s Club, said the link-up with the press club was a positive step for both institutions.
“Both clubs have a great history and are working to make sure that the traditions continue in a modern setting that meets the needs of members in the early 21st century,” he said.
“This will I am sure be good for both clubs.”
Pictured from left: Katie Cohen, of HSBC – main sponsor of Birmingham Press Club, Bob Warman, President of Birmingham Press Club, Philip Barnet, President of St Paul’s Club, Sarah Whitticase, a past President of St Paul’s Club and Llewella Bailey, Chairman of Birmingham Press Club.
