The Duchess of Cambridge’s parents famously made millions from a mail-order business selling hats, balloons and decorations for children’s parties.
Now Kate’s sister Pippa Middleton and her financier husband James Matthews are following in their footsteps by developing their own child-friendly tourist attraction just a stone’s throw from the Middleton family home in Berkshire.
Pippa Middleton and her financier husband James Matthews are developing their own child-friendly tourist attraction just a stone’s throw from the Middleton family home in Berkshire
James and his business partners plan to splash out £800,000 transforming a rundown petting zoo and deer park called Bucklebury Farm into an indoor play barn for children and expanding an existing barn to include a cafe and farm shop with outdoor seating.
They may have already chosen their new name. In November I revealed they had registered a company called Pippa’s Playground.
James Murray (46), who owns Mayfair’s investment company Eden Rock, purchased Bucklebury Farm last month and is joint owner with James Murray.
Pippa (38), can often be seen in wax jackets and wellies while overseeing farm operations.
Plans outlining their vision say visitor numbers will be capped at 400 a day, and that the venture will inject £2.3 million into the local economy.
James and his business partners plan to splash out £800,000 transforming a rundown petting zoo and deer park called Bucklebury Farm into an indoor play barn for children and expanding an existing barn to include a cafe and farm shop with outdoor seating
Murray and the farm’s manager, Oliver Shute, have presented the plans to parish councillors and permission is expected to be granted soon.
Pippa’s mother Carole set up Party Pieces from her kitchen table in 1987 while pregnant with her third child, James.
She started out preparing party bags for Kate’s school friends and it grew into a multi-million-pound business.
Kate and Pippa’s brother James has been courageously candid about his battles with depression, admitting he suffers from January blues.
However, I have heard rumors that the 34-year old hopes for happy news in the coming year. He and Alizee (32), are French.
Kate and Pippa’s brother James Middleton, 34, has been courageously candid about his battles with depression, admitting he suffers from January blues. He is pictured with his French bride Alizee, 32
According to reports, they hope 2022 will mark the start of a family after having married last summer.
Sources claim that the couple who were married last summer hope to start their family in 2022.
James shared this photo, from left, with Alizee (who works in financial tech) during a misty visit to the Highlands.
Here’s hoping for brighter times…