Private club 1880 suddenly closes after almost 8 years in business

It has no funds to pay staff and suppliers, founder says in message to club members

- Anjali Raguraman

Private members' club 1880 announced its sudden closure on June 17 after almost eight years in business, with its holding and operating companies placed under provisional liquidation.

The club, located in Robertson Quay, explained the closure in e-mail and WhatsApp messages to members in the early hours of June 17. It said it could not secure several offers to invest in or acquire 1880, and has no funds to pay staff and suppliers.

The message, which was seen by The Straits Times, was signed off by Canadian founder Marc Nicholson. It said: "The club and all its operations will cease immediately. Please do not come to the premises as the doors will be locked."

Mr Nicholson said in the message that the holding company 38 Degrees and the operating company 1880 have been placed into provisional liquidation, and that details about the liquidation process and the creditors' meeting will be forthcoming.

The club comprised a co-working space, restaurant, bar and spa for members. It hosted trivia nights, forums and dialogues with personalities from diplomats to explorers and entrepreneurs.

Several suppliers told ST they had been owed outstanding payments by 1880.

One spirits supplier said the company had been owed $55,000, adding that "payments had started slowing down at the end of September 2024".