AN EXCLUSIVE gentlemen’s club that has counted among its members Earls, Lord Lieutenants, High Sheriffs, Mayors and MPs has closed after 126 years.

The Durham County Club was formed in 1890 by a committee of 18 leading businessmen and aristocrats, including the Earl of Durham, the Marquis of Londonderry, a knight of the realm, a priest and two MPs.

Based in a three-storey, red brick Listed townhouse at 52 Old Elvet, Durham City, for many years the club had close links with the Durham Light Infantry and its successor The Rifles, as well as hosting Crown Court judges’ lunches and numerous High Sheriffs.

However, in recent years usage has declined and the club has been forced to close, with the building’s contents put up for sale.

A spokesman for the club committee blamed increasing pressure on businessmen’s time, saying: “Business and professional gentlemen are today only able to take lunch breaks on special occasions.

“Individuals no longer play as much bridge or other card games as they used to.

“The cost of maintenance of an old listed building is today very expensive and recently the club received a very high estimate for some work that has to be done.

“The club committee sadly had to inform members that the club’s only option was to close and that the club premises and contents would have to be sold, other than items requested by the Durham County archivist.”

He added the club’s demise would “cause it to be sadly missed by many people”.

The contents of the club, up to 100 lots, will be offered for sale by Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, during its Country House Sale on May 13-14.

The items include dinner services and glassware used for formal dining, hunting prints, a wooden choir bench from Durham Cathedral and prints of members of the Royal family.

For sale enquiries call Tennants on 01609-623-780 or email: enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk

The founding committee included the Earl of Durham, who was then Lord Lieutenant; Major WJ Joicey, the High Sherriff; the Marquis of Londonderry; the Rev Arthur Duncombe Shafto; Sir Herbert Williamson Bart; Mr JW Wharton MP and Mr T Milvain QC, then MP for Durham. The club bought the premises, which then had grounds stretching to the River Wear, for £4,000 from an Anthony Wilkinson Esq.