UPDATE: Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West, has issued this recent statement:
“We are focused on driving long-term prosperity for businesses and our region. We must ensure therefore that all formal offers on Leigh Court are given due consideration, so that we can secure the best overall value and future outcomes for our organisation, our members, the wider business community and region.
“We are aware of the interest from Johnny Palmer, but it is not appropriate to comment on individual proposals at this stage. We have received multiple credible offers and are currently in a confidential sales process.”
When Johnny Palmer gets an idea, very few can slow him down. The Bristol-based entrepreneur (and founder of events company Pytch) bought the island at Warleigh Weir to maintain public access, turned a Boeing airliner into an Airbnb (rumoured to once belong to Pablo Escobar), and has campaigned for swimming in Bristol Harbour.
His next madcap idea is to turn a Grade II* listed mansion into Bristol’s biggest members’ club, Picaroon. Johnny already owns the Stables at Leigh Court (which has its own Scandinavian-style sauna), but he’s trying to purchase the entire estate—a proposal has been submitted to the owners, Business West.
Tell me more about Leigh Court…
Located in Abbotts Leigh, on the outskirts of Bristol, the country house was built in 1814 by English architect Thomas Hopper, from Bath stone in the Palladian style. Belonging to the Miles family, the 19th-century building became famous for its huge art collection, which included works by Michelangelo and Raphael.
For a period in the 20th century, Leigh Court was used as a hospital for mentally disabled patients, but by 2000, it was restored, with many rooms converted into conference and meeting rooms. The estate now boasts itself as a prestigious wedding and events venue in Bristol. But it could be about to change again…
What will Picaroon offer?
First off, the ‘Leigh Court’ name will be dropped to shed it of its slave trade connections. Furthermore, there will apparently be no prerequisites for membership at Picaroon, other than that you “love to see others thrive”—with a membership committee deciding who to let in. The aim is to create a shared space for Bristol’s big creative thinkers.
“Bristol is a very inclusive city where we fight injustice. A traditionally exclusive club doesn’t belong here. Instead, Picaroon is based on a person’s values, their heart and their motivations,” said Johnny. “In a city like Bristol, where we tear down statues of inequality, Picaroon excludes no one based on finances—only those who don’t lift others up.”
Picaroon facilities will include an aufguss sauna, swimming lake, multiple gyms, a restaurant and bar, yoga studio, nightclub space, podcast studio, meditation rooms, and so much more. That’s a lot of stuff and doesn’t even take into account events like all-night parties, industry talks, and pop-up art exhibitions.
And it’s only going to get wilder… In the future, there are plans for a “geodesic forest restaurant”, a stone circle, a rooftop bar, a Picaroon yacht in the Mediterranean, a GP surgery, and a network of tree house meeting rooms. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, then you can sign up to join the oin the membership waiting list here.