Girls only at the Grace Belgravia - except Matt Roberts who trains Samantha Cameron

Work out with SamCam’s trainer at women’s members club
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Maxine Frith4 December 2012

A new London women-only private members club has opened its doors, with a £5,500 annual fee and facilities including medical care from the Queen’s doctor and exercise sessions with Samantha Cameron’s personal trainer, Matt Roberts.

The Grace Belgravia club allows men in for dinner only on Thursdays, in a reversal of the centuries-old rules imposed by all-male clubs such as Boodles.

Describing itself as an “exclusive private club for spirited, sophisticated, health-conscious women who want the very best” the club, in a Grade II-listed building in Belgravia, offers a health spa, restaurant, boutique, nutrition service and bar.

The medical clinic is headed by Dr Tim Evans, who attends the Queen, and every member will be allocated an “angel” — a personal assistant to help with everything from booking appointments or suggesting a Pilates class, to picking up dry cleaning and advising how to charter a private jet.

Founder Kate Percival said: “We are not anti-men at all but I do think there are some times in your life when you don’t need them to be there. I feel there is a real need to support women and I wanted to create a place where they could come and feel nurtured, cared for and intellectually stimulated. We had 30 people for lunch yesterday and 60 for evening drinks, and everyone has commented on how calm the atmosphere is.”

Fashion house Prada has also opened a pop-up women-only private members club at the Café Royal in Regent Street under its Miu Miu diffusion label. The Miu Miu London club, which opened on Tuesday and will close tonight, attracted A-listers including models Kate Moss, Lara Stone and Georgia May Jagger. Designer Vivienne Westwood had a hand in the interior decor for the club, which featured a Miu Miu boutique with next year’s spring/summer collection and an evening talk with Harry Potter actress Bonnie Wright.

Meanwhile, invitation-only women’s business organisations, such as The Sorority, launched in London two years ago, have seen membership soar. James Wallman, a trends forecaster with The Future Laboratory think tank, said: “It’s all about the increasing financial clout of women. Luxury brands have realised they need to connect with these women and market to them directly.

“I don’t think it’s about putting two fingers up to the male establishment of men-only clubs. It’s more about women creating exactly what they want for themselves.” The trend doesn’t appeal to all. Sophie Herdman, of the So-feminine website, posted a blog attacking it as “lazy feminism”.

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