JCB's £30m golf course set to help build brand
JCB plans to open a £30 million golf course next to its world headquarters in Staffordshire to help boost sales and build global awareness of its brand.
The 18-hole, 7,150 yards, Par 72 championship golf course centre, would be created on 240 acres of rolling countryside to the south of its Rocester headquarters.
When completed in 2018, it is expected that up to 100 people will be employed in ground care and hospitality roles.
The course will be designed by European Golf Design and built to tour-quality standard and could potentially host a major tour event, attracting competitors and spectators from all over the world.
The plans have been conceived by JCB chairman Lord Bamford and follow an announcement in early December that JCB will invest £150m to build two new factories in Staffordshire and significantly increase production to meet an anticipated growth in demand for its products.
At the heart of the golf development is Woodseat Hall, an 18th Century mansion currently in ruins, but which will have a new lease of life under plans to renovate it as the course clubhouse.
JCB's new chief executive Graeme Macdonald said: "The golf course will be the biggest marketing tool available to JCB in its history, helping grow sales and create jobs."
