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Marcus Oswald Hornby Lecky Birley (29 May 1930 – 24 August 2007), known as Mark Birley, was a British entrepreneur known for his investments in the hospitality industry.
He was educated at Eton College where he excelled at drawing. After doing his National Service he went up to University College, Oxford, to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics but he left after failing his first year exams. He then started working as a copywriter for J. Walter Thompson.
In 1972, Birley opened Mark's Club and continued to expand his portfolio in the restaurant, nightclub and hotel business. He became the owner of the Annabel's Group, which includes Mark Birley Holdings Limited. In 1979 Birley opened Harry's Bar on South Audley Street in Mayfair. It became noted for its Italian cuisine. He launched a men's fragrance line, Mark Birley for Men, in 1996, in collaboration with the perfumers Frédéric Malle and Pierre Bourdon. Birley also designed the former family offices of Peter Palumbo, Baron Palumbo, in the City of London into a member's club, Walbrook Club, which opened in 2000.
In 1989 Birley established the Bath & Racquets Club on Brook's Mews.
As a child Birley's son Robin was mauled and badly scarred for life by a tiger at the private zoo of family friend John Aspinall (1926–2000). In 1986, Birley's other son, Rupert, disappeared in Togo and was never found. He is assumed to be deceased.
In his last years, Birley himself was disabled and needed to use a wheelchair. For a time, he turned over the reins of his businesses to his two surviving children. In 2006, however, Birley dismissed his son Robin and returned to the helm of his empire, which until his death he ran with his daughter India Jane.
Birley lived at Thurloe Lodge in South Kensington for 30 years. India Jane sold Thurloe Lodge in 2011 for £17 million. An auction of 500 of Birley's possessions from the house was held at Sotheby's in March 2013. The auction realised £3.85 million.
Death
He died on 24 August 2007, aged 77, following a stroke. His memorial service was held at St Paul's Church in Knightsbridge.
Sources
Categories: 1930 Births, 2007 Deaths, British People Of English Descent, British People Of Irish Descent, People Educated At Eton College, Alumni Of University College, Oxford, Businesspeople From The City Of Westminster, British Restaurateurs, Mark Birley, 20th-century English Businesspeople, People From Marylebone
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