Gone are the days when private members’ clubs were the domain of blue-blooded gentlemen only. Slowly, over recent decades, a few have begun to allow women in – the Reform Club in 1981, the Athenaeum in 2002, the Carlton Club in 2008.

George, a contemporary private club founded by the late Mark Birley in 2001, has gone one step further and revealed a special membership for man’s four-legged friend. Launching as George Dog Committee, the club’s ambition is to create the most dog-friendly offering of any London club. Pooches will be pampered with bespoke dog menus, dog beds, dog bowls and much more. “We are thrilled to be launching a fantastic committee that focuses on our love of dogs,” says Astrid Harbord, Membership Director. “We value our dog visitors as much as our Members and this initiative means we can upscale the offering for them.”

No ties are required, but collars are commendable; muddy paws should also be wiped prior to entering. We expect several George fans to walk through the doors with their pooches. The George Dog Committee includes dog lovers David Gandy, Carole Bamford, Nikki Tibbles, Yasmin Le Bon, Amber Le Bon, Lily Fortescue and Fiona Leahy who will be supporting the Club in initiatives and events throughout the year fundraising for causes in support of dog welfare. The first event to launch the initiative will support Nikki Tibbles’ Wild at Heart Foundation, a charity with an aim to bring an end to the world’s 600 million stray dog problem. Though the dogs may beat us to it, we’re on the scent of something big here.