Tatton Estate’s Randle Brooks passes away

The Cheshire landowner and conservationist has died at his Peover Hall home, leaving the 5,000-acre estate and other holdings to his family.

The Brooks family have become one of the North West’s largest landowners in the decades since the purchase of the Tatton Estate in 1958 by Harry Brooks, father of Randle and grandfather of Tatton Group managing director, Henry.

Randle Brooks, who was 79, and his wife Juliet devoted years to the restoration of their other land holding, the grade two-listed Peover Hall, and its gardens and park, in Knutsford.

Harry Brooks, who owned a string of furniture shops, bought the 16^th century Peover Hall in the 1930s. The family’s holdings also included Knutsford Heath, which has hosted large public events over the years.

A statement from the Tatton Estate said: “Mr Randle Brooks, conservationist, steward, lover of the countryside, expert on Cheshire and country houses and polo player for 60 years, died peacefully last night at his beloved Peover Hall. He is mourned by his family and friends and the Peover and the Tatton Estates.”

Henry, son of Randle, is managing director of Tatton Group

In January, Place North West reported that the Tatton Estate was in the process of commissioning a strategy for managing its property portfolio over the next two decades, in collaboration with Cheshire East Council, the National Trust and other stakeholders.

The group owns swathes of land in Cheshire, excluding Tatton Park and the Old Hall, which are owned by the National Trust.

On the drawing board for the 20-year strategy were proposals to bring underused buildings back into use for businesses and the local community, and review and possibly redraw large-scale redevelopment projects, including a scheme to build up to 250 homes north of the Parkgate Industrial Estate in Knutsford.

The strategy was not intended to propose freehold sales of any assets or sites.

The region’s property industry paid tribute to Randle Brooks on social media this week, including Graham Sant, executive director of BWB Consulting, who wrote on Linkedin: “Respect – a true gentleman who will be very sorely missed.

“A true pillar of Cheshire society has passed, who influenced the life and times of my family. My sincere condolences to everyone in the Brooks family.”

The statement from Tatton Estate added: “Randle supported countless local people and organisations with very little if any fanfare. With his very keen interest in conservation and history, he provided the Knutsford Heritage Centre with one of the Estate buildings and he used to enjoy attending their lectures.

“His stewardship ensured that places remained beautiful and vibrant, from Knutsford Heath itself and the Little Heath, the Sports Clubs and Cricket Fields, to Egerton Hall in Rostherne, which he restored recently with his daughter-in-law as well as with members of the village to create a wonderful community asset.”