On Monday, 26th September the driving range at the Trafford Centre in Manchester was placed into administration by its operator, Target Golf Ltd trading as Playgolf Manchester. This followed the breakdown in rent negotiations between Target Golf and the owner of the freehold, Peel Holdings.
A spokesperson for Target Golf said: “Since we took over the lease two and a half years ago, we have tried to get the freeholder, Peel Holdings, to be more realistic with their rent demands.”
He added: “It really is a shame that a potentially viable and vibrant business like this has been unable to make a profit since inception and we are left with no other option but to place the business into the hands of an administrator.”
On Saturday 1st October the range was open again under the direct control of Peel Holdings.
GBN.com understands that all the Golf Professionals are back teaching as normal and that some of the staff have also returned.
Playgolf Manchester is located at the Trafford Centre close to junctions 9 and 10 on the M60. The nearby branch of american golf and Championship Miniaturegolf are completely unconnected with the Playgolf Manchester business and have continued in operation throughout.
Target Golf Ltd was part of the Wescom Group, which has its head office in West London. The Group, which has extensive interests in leisure and media, entered the golf business in 2009.
Other companies in the Group run Playgolf Northwick Park, Leatherhead Golf Club, Iford Golf Centre near Bournemouth and the Toa Payoh Golf Range in Singapore.
All of these businesses are operated by different companies and continue to trade normally.
Peel Holdings, part of the extremely successful property development company Peel Group, have not so far revealed their long-term plans for the range but a re-branding of the operation is thought likely. The business is in a first class location and very popular.
Peel Group www.peel.co.uk