First Mark Carney went for the Bank of England’s annual cricket match at the staff summer party, replacing it with rounders, football and tug of war.

Now, in his final year as Governor, he has scrapped the entire sports facility - a sprawling 32 acre "country club" close to Richmond Park, boasting a gym, 16 tennis courts, world class football and rugby pitches and “relaxation facilities”.

In a drive towards greater inclusivity, and to cut costs, the Bank will close its Roehampton “club”, owned since 1907, and lease the site on a commercial basis, cancelling all current memberships.

The move has irked employees, who are “saddened” at the loss of such a luxurious company benefit.

David Buik, a veteran businessman and financial commentator who was a member of the club for five years said: “The facilities are simply incredible and I am sure that people of my generation will be extremely saddened.”