A MEMBERS’ club that closed during the Covid-19 pandemic could reopen, if councillors give new owners the right to serve drinks until the early hours.

The Hospital Club – currently without a name above the door – in Endell Street, Covent Garden, has been empty for four years.

Now developers Woods Whur 2014 hope to set up a club that will offer top of the range co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and places to eat and drink for workers.

The application would see the venue able to serve alcohol and play music until 2am, bar Sundays, but the owners say they will cap the number of corporate events to six per year while any other event will stop at midnight.

A PR brochure shows a mix of offices and lounges, surrounded by a mixture of modern art styles.

The Hospital Club – which rebranded itself as the H Club – was set up by musician Dave Stewart, who was in the Eurythmics, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

They pitched it to the “creative industries” and included a recording studio, where Radiohead cut an album.

A hospital stood on the site from the 1700s until it closed in 1992, and Mr Allen bought the site in 1996.

It took him eight years to win permission after extended negotiations with neighbours. It did not open again after closing due to the pandemic.

In the application, the new owners add the sound system installed with a noise limiter that means music cannot go above a level laid down by the council.

A series of objections have come in from neighbours, who say the late hours would cause noise and anti-social behaviour. They say that the previous venue led to sleepless nights.

Neighbour Derek Henden told the Town Hall that the Hospital Club saw regular disturbances. He said: “Numerous hire cars occupied any available parking space, often playing loud music while they waited, followed by inebriated groups loudly bidding a fond farewell to their friends.”

His views were echoed by another neighbour, Eric Stuart.

Mr Stuart said: “The site is surrounded on four sides by residential buildings. The site received planning permission for development as office space, and it was highlighted this would be less disruptive to residents than the previous members’ club use. It is unclear why an office space would need up to six events a year lasting until 2am and an unlimited number running until midnight.”

Councillors on Camden’s licensing committee were due to decide this week if the venue can operate the hours applied for.