Stoke Park to ‘scale down workforce' during restoration works

A spokesperson for Stoke Park said: "The new owners of Stoke Park, Reliance Industries Limited, are making a major investment into the estate and are committed to preserving Stoke Park's rich heritage.

"Reliance are honoured to be the fifth owners and custodians of Stoke Park since it became the first UK's country club in 1908 and are committed to investing in its future and the local community. With every new owner comes a responsibility to progress and future-proof the success of the business and we plan on returning Stoke Park to its former glory."

They added: "Stoke Park is temporarily closing its doors for a full refurbishment to return the club to its former glory. The club will remain non-operational until the anticipated reopening in 2023, resulting in the business scaling down its workforce while the restoration takes place. Stoke Park will support outgoing staff members to ensure they are properly compensated for their dedicated service to Stoke Park."

"Reliance are committed to creating a significant amount of jobs both during the restoration project phase and after the reopening."

Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings (RIIHL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries, acquired Stoke Park for £57m earlier this year.

The group, led by Indian billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani, already has investments in Oberoi Hotels and is developing a convention centre, hotel and managed residences in Mumbai. Ambani also owns renowned London toy store Hamleys.

Stoke Park was placed on the market in 2018 by International Group after owners the King family decided to focus on other business interests.

The King family reopened Stoke Park as a hotel in 1998 after a five-year refurbishment programme. The mansion house at the centre of the 300-acre estate, designed by Capability Brown and Humphry Repton, was initially built as a private home by George III's architect James Wyatt between 1790 and 1813. Two James Bond movies, Goldfinger and Tomorrow Never Dies, were filmed at Stoke Park, as well as the famous 'mini break' and rowing scenes from Bridget Jones's Diary.

Today the estate features three restaurants and bars, with the three-AA-rosette Humphry's restaurant headed by executive chef Chris Wheeler, winner of the 2016 Hotel Chef of the Year (more than 250 covers) Hotel Catey.

Extensive leisure facilities include a 27-hole golf course, tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool. The hotel also hosts the Boodles, an annual tennis tournament held in the run up to Wimbledon.