North Liverpool Golf Course has transferred to a private company in a deal which will save council tax payers £1 million over the next five years.
A 25 year arrangement with L32 Trading Ltd – part of the Maghull Group – to operate the links at North Liverpool came into operation yesterday.
Between now and 2019, it will wipe out a projected overspend and subsidy of £930,000 and generate a total rental income of £70,000 for the council.
The council has insisted that the incoming commercial partner must continue to provide affordable and accessible ‘pay and play’ golf.
They will also be encouraged to invest in the courses through upgrades and appropriate additional facilities to attract customers.
Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for culture and tourism, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “This is great news for golfers who use the North Liverpool course.
“We can no long afford to subsidise it to the tune of almost £5 per round, but we know how much it is appreciated by the people who use it and so have worked extremely hard to put together a deal that satisfies everyone.
“It will continue to operate at a price that is affordable to users and receive investment to make it sustainable in the long term.”
Maghull Group spokesperson, Jon Egan, said: “L32 Trading are delighted that all the formal arrangements have been completed and they are able to start work in partnership with the City Council in operating North Liverpool Golf Course.
“They will be improving course and clubhouse facilities for golfers at Kirkby whilst still providing accessible and affordable pay and play golf for local people in line with the authority’s wishes.”
A search is getting underway for a new provider to run Allerton Golf Course after the city council was unable to reach agreement with Glendale Golf Limited on how it will run the facility. It will remain a council-run facility in the meantime.
