Paul Raymond (publisher)

Lore & Background

After opening the UK's first nightclub to stage live striptease, Raymond launched Paul Raymond Publications with the soft-porn magazine Men Only, soon followed by Escort, Club International, Mayfair and many other titles. He bought property on a large scale and by 1994 was the richest person in the UK. He was starting to hand over control of his business to his daughter Debbie when she died of a heroin overdose in 1992, after which he became a recluse.

Raymond, born Geoffrey Anthony Quinn in Liverpool, was raised by his mother after his father abandoned the family when he was five. He left school at 15, working as an office boy and later as a drummer, before serving as a Bevin Boy and in the Royal Air Force. He changed his name at 22 while attempting a mind-reading act on Clacton pier. His career in adult entertainment began by circumventing the Lord Chamberlain’s rules, which forbade moving nudes on stage; he presented women as statues on podiums. In 1958, he opened the Raymond Revuebar as a private club in Soho’s Walker’s Court, attracting a chic clientele including actors and comedians, but also clashing with authorities. The club was fined £5,000 in 1961 after being called "filthy, disgusting and beastly" for permitting patrons to ring the Ding Dong Girl’s bells, and there was a dispute over a snake charmer swallowing a snake onstage. Raymond’s publishing empire began in 1971 when he relaunched Men Only, later adding titles such as Razzle and Mayfair. His magazines featured model Fiona Richmond, who became his girlfriend, leading to a divorce from his wife Jean Bradley in 1974. He invested heavily in Soho property through his company Soho Estates, buying one freehold per week in 1977, and eventually owned about 400 properties in the area. He was dubbed the "King of Soho" and was the target of two extortion attempts, including one from decorators pretending to be IRA members.

Reader's Guide

Raymond’s publishing career began in 1964 with the launch of the men’s magazine *King*, which folded after only two issues. He entered the adult magazine market more decisively in 1971 by taking over and relaunching *Men Only*, a title originally started by C. Arthur Pearson Ltd in 1935. This acquisition formed the foundation of Paul Raymond Publications, which subsequently produced a stable of soft-pornography magazines including *Escort*, *Club International*, *Mayfair*, and *Razzle*. His publications frequently featured models such as Fiona Richmond, who became his girlfriend. The magazines were part of a broader business empire that also included strip clubs and extensive property holdings, particularly in Soho. Raymond’s publishing ventures were notable for their longevity and profitability, contributing significantly to his wealth; by 1994 he was reported to be the richest person in the UK. His business model combined adult entertainment with property development, and his publications helped define the British soft-core pornography market for decades. The magazines were a key component of his diversified portfolio, which also encompassed theatres and nightclubs, and they cemented his reputation as a major figure in the adult entertainment industry.

Did You Know?

• Raymond opened the Raymond Revuebar as a private club in 1958, circumventing the Lord Chamberlain's authority.
• He was a self-confessed spiv who sold nylons and petrol coupons on the black market.
• Raymond owned about 400 properties in the Soho area.
• He was initiated into the Grand Order of Water Rats on 22 January 1967.