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Has Asia's richest man turned Stoke Park into a 'glorified Airbnb'? Country club members claim revered golf course has been 'sold from beneath their feet' and turned into playground for the rich and famous after super wedding bash
Former members at a famous golf course featured in James Bond film Goldfinger claim the iconic venue has been 'sold beneath our feet' and turned into a playground for billionaires since being bought by Asia's richest man.
Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire was purchased in 2021 by Indian magnate Mukesh Ambani, who closed it for extensive 'renovations' and terminated the memberships of its 850 members.
Shortly after the purchase, a two-year project plan was announced for a revamped golf course and a seven-star hotel inside the palatial clubhouse, which was used as a backdrop in James Bond film Goldfinger.
But three years later the clubhouse remains off-limits and only a handful of golfers have been able to play - including the England cricket team before their Ashes series against Australia last summer.
Golf members are said to concerned the Ambani family have no real intention of running a proper golf and country club at Stoke Park and instead plan to use the site as a 'glorified Airbnb' when they are in Britain.
Mukesh Ambani recently celebrated the wedding of his son Mukesh to Radhika Merchant, the daughter of a wealthy pharmaceutical mogul (the couple are pictured together)
Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire, which includes a palatial clubhouse, was purchased by Mukesh Ambani in 2021
The clubhouse famously formed the backdrop to James Bond film Goldfinger, with Bond (Sean Connery) taking on the villain in a golf match
It has since emerged that the family may have enjoyed another private wedding party at Stoke Park, with photos and videos on social media tagged 'private pre wedding party' showing a disco with guests dressed in white
A spokesman for the club insisted work was still ongoing to 'restore its facilities and deliver a world-class hotel and golf course, as well as to protect and enhance the heritage assets and parkland for the benefit of future generations'.
They strongly rejected the suggestion that the clubhouse was simply being turned into a 'grand personal home' for the Almbanis.
The wealthy family, who also own Hamley's and were reportedly interested in buying Boots, have been in the headlines recently for perhaps the world's most lavish series of wedding celebrations costing an estimated £250million.
On Friday, Mukesh celebrated his son Anant's marriage to Radhika Merchant, the daughter of a wealthy pharmaceutical mogul.
VIP guests who jetted to Mumbai to attend the glittering event at the 16,000-capacity Jio World Convention Centre included Boris and Carrie Johnson, Tony Blair, Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas and WWE star John Cena.
Pictures from the celebrations showed a 'Disneyland' including huge flower sculptures and a recreation of an antiques store and a shop selling lassi - a Punjabi yogurt–based beverage.
After the ceremony, guests explored the lavish set up, which included a lassi shop (an Indian beverage) and an antique shop, 'we're in a magical world', Julia said.
The nuptials followed seven months of extravagant pre-wedding celebrations and festivities, including performance by Rihanna and Justin Bieber, as well as an 800-person Mediterranean cruise.
It has since emerged that the family may have enjoyed another private wedding party at Stoke Park, with photos and videos on social media tagged 'private pre wedding party' showing a disco with guests dressed in white.
in June, photos were shared on Instagram showing Miss Merchant wearing a white Tamara Ralph couture wedding dress inside what appears to be the clubhouse
Kim and Khloe Kardashian were among the raft of celebrities to attend Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding in Mumbai on Saturday
Tony and Cherie Blair were also among the attendees at the astonishingly lavish ceremony
Nita Ambani, chair of Reliance Industries, with his wife, Nita
Meanwhile, in June, photos were shared on Instagram showing Miss Merchant wearing a white Tamara Ralph couture wedding dress inside what appears to be the clubhouse.
A spokesman for the club told The Times they could not comment on the nature of private events.
Former members who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity shared their concern about the course's future, with one claiming it had 'been sold from beneath our feet'.
Mukesh Ambani bought the lease for £57million via Reliance Industries Limited, the parent company of a huge business empire spanning energy, petrochemicals, natural gas, retail, entertainment, telecommunications, mass media and textiles.
Some pointed to an agreement reached during the sale process that the Ambanis would have to maintain the mansion clubhouse as a country club or hotel and not use it as private property.
Thomas Hogg, a local Tory councillor, told the Financial Times that he was concerned the Ambanis had been living at the mansion after the acquisition.
The newspaper reported that Stoke Park's law firm, Withers, had written to Buckinghamshire council in 2022 to say the Ambani family had from 'time to time' occupied the property to develop the renovation plans … 'consistent with the permitted hotel use'.
One angry former member raged to The Times: 'It's a glorified Airbnb, if you like. Albeit a rather large and expensive Airbnb.' Another says: 'It feels like the seat of a feudal court. It reminds me of Trump at Mar-a-Lago.'
Designed by Harry Colt in 1908, Stoke Park is considered one of England's best courses and regularly ranked among the top 100 in the world.
Boris and Carrie Johnson were also at the wedding in Mumbai
Priyanka Copra and Nick Jonas pose at the Mumbai ceremony on Friday
John Cena poses for photos at the wedding of Mukesh Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Mumbai
A small number of golfers have been allowed to play on the course since the 2021 purchase on a pay-to-play basis.
Stoke Park said it soon plans to offer the number of playing days from three days a week to five, with up to 12 tee times - allowing up to 48 people a day to play.
The site now includes a new 'gold academy' featuring a 15-bay driving range and an indoor 'swing studio'.
The Ambanis are known in India for their conservation work and there now appears to be a menagerie of animals at Stoke Park including peacocks, horses and tortoises.
Meanwhile, a local reportedly claimed to have seen llamas grazing on an enclosure by the former ninth hole.
It is not the first controversy involving the Ambanis, with the family sparking anger in 2021 after unveiling plans to build the world's biggest zoo on a 280-acre plot of land in western India.
They announced they want to house around 100 different species in the zoo and build an animal rescue sanctuary in the city of Jamnagar.
The Ambanis sparked anger among animal rights activists after two rare black panthers were transferred from a state-run zoo to their own private establishment in a 'hush-hush' move.
Designed by Harry Colt in 1908, Stoke Park is considered one of England's best courses and regularly ranked among the top 100 in the world
Stoke Park insists it is undergoing a much needed renovation
Stoke Park, which covers 300 acres, was also known for hosting the annual Boodles tennis championship, which helped players hone their grass court skills in the lead-up to Wimbledon.
Former US president Donald Trump was said to be interested in buying the club in 2021. It was previously owned by the private King family.
Stoke Park provided a statement: 'For the first time, the golf course is now open to the general public on a more inclusive pay and play model. The pay and play model decision was communicated to former golf members in 2022 as the future business model for golf at Stoke Park.
'We have also hosted a range of high-profile events with facilities already available during the renovation, including the Boodles, the luxurious summer garden party with top-flight tennis, charity events as well as golf days.
'We cannot comment on private agreements between Stoke Park and its commercial clients. We are continuing to work closely with the council as both our landlord and planning authority and other stakeholders, in compliance with the guidance, applicable rules and regulations.'