Has Ambani turned Stoke Park into a Billionaire’s Playground?

Former members at the iconic Stoke Park have claimed the venue has been “sold beneath our feet” and turned into a billionaire’s playground since being bought by Mukesh Ambani.

Ambani purchased the Buckinghamshire venue in 2021 for £57 million.

He then closed it for extensive “renovations” and terminated the memberships of its 850 members.

A two-year project plan was announced for a revamped golf course and a seven-star hotel inside the clubhouse, which was featured in the James Bond film Goldfinger.

However, the clubhouse remains off-limits and only a small number of golfers have been allowed to play on the course on a pay-to-play basis.

Golf members are worried the Ambanis have no intention of running a proper golf and country club at Stoke Park, instead planning to use the site as a “glorified Airbnb” when they are in the UK.

A spokesperson for Stoke Park said 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 family.

The Ambani family have been in the headlines for hosting arguably the biggest wedding celebration.

It has since emerged that a private wedding party was held at Stoke Park, with social media footage labelled “private pre-wedding party”.

Photos also show Radhika Merchant wearing a white Tamara Ralph couture wedding dress inside what appears to be the clubhouse.

Former members shared their concerns about Stoke Park’s future.

One person raged: “It’s a glorified Airbnb if you like. Albeit a rather large and expensive Airbnb.”

Another told The Times: “It’s been sold from beneath our feet.”

A third member said:

“It feels like the seat of a feudal court. It reminds me of Trump at Mar-a-Lago.”

Conservative Party councillor Thomas Hogg said he was concerned the Ambanis had been living at the mansion after the acquisition.

It was 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”.

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”.

There now appear to be peacocks, horses and tortoises roaming around Stoke Park.

Meanwhile, a local reportedly claimed to have seen llamas grazing on an enclosure by the former ninth hole.