A former conference centre site has been rumoured to be sold for development into an exclusive members' retreat.

The historic Lane End Conference Centre on Church Road in High Wycombe countryside went up for sale in October last year.

The holding company HTS said the decision to sell the conference and training venue was due to a “bleak future” because of the Covid pandemic, the impact of the war in Ukraine, rising costs and the “looming recession.”

Now a “strong rumour” circulating in the village of Lane End is that the site has been sold to Soho House, a resident in the village told the Free Press.

Soho House runs private members social clubs around the world, which are frequented by celebrities, including in London, New York, Miami and Mykonos.

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The site was allegedly acquired for development into Soho Farmhouse, a luxury hotel and wellness retreat.

The Farmhouse-concept in Buckinghamshire would be Soho House’s second such venture in the area.

Soho Farmhouse opened in the Cotswolds village of Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire in 2015 with 114 bedrooms and cabins, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa and a gym.

Membership to gain access to Soho House start from £166.67 per month or £91.67 for under 27s.  

Soho House said it was not able to comment on the rumoured plans.