Potential operators have just days to register interest in Bath golf course

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir April 22, 2022 12:59

Potential operators of a golf course in Bath have less than a month to register their interest.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has started a second supplier engagement exercise in order to find a new operator for the site of Approach Golf Course.

The first stage of the new process will informally explore two options for the site: a golf operator with café provision, or a café operator with the requirement to provide a golf offer.

For both options, any future operator will be required to keep the High Common as a green public space with free access to the site maintained for residents.

Over 4,300 people signed a petition to save the Approach Golf Course when its future was at stake.

In 2020/21, the council ran its first engagement exercise and open procurement process to find an operator, but no acceptable final bids were made.

Now, potential operators will once more be invited to register their interest with the council via a ‘Supplying the South West’ portal. If viable operators come forward, the council will go ahead with a procurement exercise and a full tender process that would begin by June 2022.

“The operators will need to show how they would contribute to the council’s priorities including enabling more people to be more active more often and to improve health and wellbeing. The council will require a successful bidder to maintain the site in accordance with the council’s climate and nature emergency declarations,” said a spokesman.

Councillor Jess David said: “The Approach Golf Course is an important community asset which has enabled residents and visitors to have a go at golf at an affordable price for many years.

“Located on the cherished green space of the High Common, golfers and a variety of other users, including walkers and dog walkers, have happily co-existed.

“We know from discussions with community and user groups that there is a desire to see golf return to the High Common and we welcome this exciting opportunity to restore golf for all and to develop a vibrant café, retaining amenities for the whole community.

“We welcome informal interest for either a golf operator with a café provision, or a café operator with golf provision. If interest is received, we will be able to move to the procurement stage and a formal tender process.”

Potential operators have until May 20 to register their interest.

 

Alistair Dunsmuir
By Alistair Dunsmuir April 22, 2022 12:59
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