Bulwell Hall Golf Course spared
PRIVATE OPERATOR IS FOUND TO TAKE ON LEASE OF SITE FROM CITY COUNCIL
A COUNCIL-OWNED golf course which had been faced with closure has been given a reprieve, after a new operator was secured.
In the summer, doubts had been cast over the future of Bulwell Hall golf course, as part of £12.5 million in cuts being made by Nottingham City Council.
Now, a private operator has agreed to lease the course from the council, meaning it will stay open, but under new management.
The Labour-run council had initially planned to close the course, but after this was announced, it received several offers from people wanting to take it on.
However, the new management will not be able to open immediately, because golf is currently not allowed with the current lockdown.
A Nottingham City Council spokesman said: “This is positive news for the future of Bulwell Hall golf course and is clearly the best way forward for all concerned. We announced last summer that we needed to look at the site as part of wider £12.5m budget savings.
“The Council was unfortunately no longer in a position to continue subsidising the site, but we knew how valued the facility was for local people and what excellent condition the course and buildings were in. We investigated a number of options to try to ensure it stayed open and we’re really pleased that we now have the chance to team up with Golf Partners Group (GPG).
“GPG is an experienced operator and transferring the site on a longterm lease represents an important budget saving for the council at the same time as retaining a muchloved leisure asset for Nottingham.”
A council report on the subject says: “Further to the confirmation of the 2020/21 in year budget savings, it was agreed that Bulwell Hall Golf Course should close.
“Following the announcement of this decision the (council) received several expressions of interest (EOI) from the private and community sector.
“These EOIS were invited to summit a more detailed submission from which the GPG proposal was identified as the most feasible and financially deliverable option.
“Following further detailed discussions GPG was identified as the most suitable partner to take over the maintenance and management of the Golf Course and Pavilion Café.
“The transfer of the site to GPG will enable the council to deliver the full in year and future years budget saving whilst ensuring that the land remains in good management and available for use by the community.”