After several reports claimed Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani and his family are likely to move to London, Reliance Industries have clarified that the Ambanis “have no plans whatsoever to relocate or reside in London or anywhere else in the world.”
“A recent report in a newspaper has led to unwarranted and baseless speculation in social media regarding the Ambani family’s plans to partly reside in Stoke Park, London. Reliance will like to clarify that the chairman and his family have no plans whatsoever to relocate or reside in London or anywhere else in the world,” the company said in a statement today.
Earlier, quoting unknown sources, Mid-Day reported that, starting with their first Diwali in their new home, Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man and his family are all set to divide their time between UK and Mumbai in the post-pandemic world.
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The sources, Mid-Day reported, said the family is expected to make the 300-acre country club in Buckinghamshire, Stoke Park acquired at a reported £57 million (US $79 million) earlier this year their primary residence, while dividing their time between the 49-bedroom London property and their Altamount Road home.
According to these sources, a state-of-the-art medical facility has been set up in the property, adding that the experience of spending the pandemic in the 400,000 square feet Altamount Road residence, Antilia, made the family feel the need to have a second home. During the lockdowns, the family also spent considerable time in Jamnagar, where their flagship refinery, the world’s largest, is based.
This year was the first in a long time that the Ambani family celebrated Diwali out of the country.
The UK property includes a five-star hotel, three restaurants and lounges, a spa and gym, 13 tennis courts and a 27-hole championship golf course. The Financial Times had earlier reported that the property has featured in a number of movies, including two James Bond films. In Goldfinger, Sean Connery’s James Bond plays golf there. The estate also features in the films Tomorrow Never Dies, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Layer Cake.
According to sources, a state-of-the-art medical facility has recently been set up in the property after its purchase by the Ambanis.
“Unlike India, where private hospitals are favoured, the United Kingdom is largely a public-funded healthcare system under the National Health Services. Therefore, it was decided to have a medical centre, which is like a mini hospital, inside the premises,” said a doctor who was part of the team, according to Mid-Day.
However, the Reliance group said that its group company Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, “which acquired Stoke Park estate recently, would like to clarify that its acquisition of the heritage property is aimed at enhancing this as a premier golfing and sporting resort, while fully complying with the planning guidelines and local regulations.”
“This acquisition will add to the fast-growing consumer business of the group.Simultaneously, it will also expand the footprint of India’s famed hospitality industry globally.”, the statement read.
