Cheltenham Borough Council ends iconic golf course licence
The owners of Cleeve Hill Golf Club say it is "financially unviable" to continue their lease.
Last updated 29th Sep 2020
A golf club near Cheltenham is set to close, after its current tenant decided not to continue its lease next year.
The owners of Cleeve Hill Golf Club, The Share Club Ltd, say they are not continuing the tenancy - claiming it's financial unviable.
Following the announcement, Cheltenham Borough Council commissioned an independent expert opinion into the future of golfing in the area.
It found that the sport can't be financially sustainable at the Cleeve Hill site without significant investment and an ongoing subsidy from the Council.
As a result, the local authority has decided to end its license to use Cleeve Hill Common as a golf course and return the control to its owners - Cleeve Common Trust - by 1 April 2021.
The Council says it has been exploring alternative options for the clubhouse, but due to its poor condition the authority has revealed it will be demolished.
Members of the public will still have access to the local area and car park, as the Borough Council recognises it's well-loved for walking and exploring.
Tewkesbury Borough Council's Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management Cllr Robert Vines said: “It is a shame that local authority golf will end here at Cleeve Golf Club, and sadly this will be a particularly difficult time for the club's employees.
“I would like to reassure those who use the common regularly, that Tewkesbury Borough Council is very much in support of public access to the area and we will continue to work with Cleeve Common Trust to ensure this remains the case.”