Council golf course to temporarily close while new operator sought

The decision to close the Uxbridge course temporarily follows a continued decline in player numbers at both sites during the past year, further hampered by consistently wet weather.

Despite recently increasing fees, considerable council investment and an annual taxpayer subsidy, both venues have continued operating at a significant loss to the council and residents.

Because of the low number of people using them, the courses are not delivering good value for taxpayers, and it is considered unfair for all communities to foot these costs. 

The advisors have been appointed following an initial search last year by the council to source a new operator.

Uxbridge Golf Course will close temporarily on Tuesday 14 January, with incumbent staff moving across to Haste Hill. If a specialist operator cannot be found, the Haste Hill course will also temporarily close.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: "We're very proud as a local authority to be in the unique position of owning several golf courses as part of Hillingdon's great leisure offer for residents. 

"However, with increasing pressures on council finances, staffing, maintaining and running these courses is a significant taxpayer subsidy for a service used by relatively few, so it is an unsustainable position.

"As part of our continued drive to deliver value for money services, we are actively seeking a specialist golf operator that will have the expertise that we do not have to provide a more tailored offer that best works for everyone."