The John Lewis Partnership has put a 200-acre golf course up for sale as part of a drive to cut costs.

John Lewis staff have been entitled to a discounted membership rate at the club but the retailer believes it is no longer justifiable, The Telegraph has reported. 

Around 20% of members are working or retired John Lewis staff and family members.

The retailer informed staff this week that it would close the Winter Hill Golf Club in Cookham, Berkshire, by the end of April. The sale will include the golf course, clubhouse and two residential properties in the grounds.

John Lewis is reportedly in talks with Maidenhead Golf Club about the sale.

Winter Hill Golf Club opened in 1976, decades after the property was bought by John Lewis founder John Spedan Lewis in 1938.

A John Lewis spokesperson said: “This isn’t a decision we took lightly. However, the golf club is no longer used as the employee benefit it once was, with just one in five members now having a link to the partnership.

“With a high level of investment required, for a very small internal audience, we have decided that Winter Hill is no longer the best use of our resources.”

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