London Borough of Bexley Invites Proposals for Barnehurst Golf Course
The London Borough of Bexley is inviting specialist golf and leisure operators to submit their ideas on how the Barnehurst Golf Course and venue could be improved for the long term benefit of the local community.
The decision to invite outside operators to submit their proposals follows a review of the course and future options for attracting additional leisure investment onto the site.
Smith Leisure has been appointed as the Council’s external adviser to obtain ideas and proposals from the market. Smith Leisure has successfully helped a number of other local authorities in similar exercises and will be advertising the opportunity in Leisure Opportunities magazine on 7 June.
Mark Smith of Smith Leisure says “The London Borough of Bexley wishes to maintain publicly accessible golf on the site and is very keen to extend the leisure offering to encourage people to be more physically active. There are specialist operators in the market who are better equipped to invest in and operate enhanced golf and leisure operations than local authorities. I am confident that the Council will have a good selection of ideas and proposals to consider.”
“We will be guiding operators to maintain the green and open nature of the site. We are asking for initial expressions of interest from the market by 27 June. Thereafter we will select a shortlist to make outline proposals and the best of those will be developed into detailed proposals for consideration.”
Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Tourism, Cllr Peter Catterall adds; “In recent years the golf market in the UK has become increasingly competitive. With so many new venues opening it is vital that we continually invest in improving the facilities. By taking part in this exercise with external leisure providers we hope to be able to provide a first class golfing experience and sports venue that will benefit all ages from across the borough.”
The Council is aiming to get down to a shortlist of three or four parties in the latter part of the year. If a preferred proposal is identified plans for its implementation could get underway early next year. The preferred proposals will go on public display before a decision is made.
For further information please contact Mark Smith of Smith Leisure on 01985 214147 or email mark@smithleisure.com
