Savills, on behalf of clients Brighton & Hove City Council, has brought Hollingbury (pictured) and Waterhall Golf courses to the market. The Council is inviting proposals to let the sites for the next 25 years to provide golf and/or other leisure uses.
The land is currently used for two 18-hole golf courses and both sites sit within the South Downs National Park. Over the past few years, the golf courses have seen a fall in season ticket holders, golf usage and golf club membership, mirroring a national picture of fewer people playing golf. City councillors have approved the marketing of the sites as golf courses as well as inviting other leisure proposals. In addition, ‘in-house’ options are also being considered, specifically in relation to ‘rewilding.’
A market assessment identified the following potential other leisure uses of the sites:
- Outdoor activity centre
- Education
- Camping or glamping
- Events venue
- Restaurant/café
- Wellness centre
Councillor Alan Robins, chair of the city’s Tourism, Equalities, Communities and Culture committee, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to provide a wonderful outdoor experience for our residents and visitors. By inviting proposals on long term leases for golf and/or other leisure uses we hope to receive a range of options to give both courses a sustainable future.”
Kay Griffiths, associate director in the leisure and trade team at Savills, adds: “The two golf courses in Brighton are suitable for a wide range of leisure uses by the new leaseholders, providing a rare opportunity in the market. Working alongside Brighton & Hove City Council we are looking forward to securing a new future for the courses.”
The Council has successfully marketed other leisure sites on long term leases which brought forward some interesting proposals. These included the Yellowave Beach Volleyball Centre on the seafront and the Sea Lanes proposal on Madeira Drive.
Hollingbury and Waterhall golf courses are owned by the council and are currently managed externally by MyTime Active a registered charity operating as a social enterprise to promote wellbeing. The contract ends next March.
Further information from Kay Griffiths, Savills, Tel: +44 (0) 1865 269 109 kgriffiths@savills.com
Savills www.savills.co.uk