On behalf of a private client, Savills has successfully negotiated the letting of Warley Park Golf Club in Brentwood, Essex under a new 25-year lease.
Set across 159.61 acres (64.59 hectares) of land, the golf club comprises 27 holes, as well as practice facilities and a 10,000 sq ft (929 sq m) purpose built clubhouse. The 18 hole course extends to 6,250 yards, par 71 and there is an additional 2,923 yard, par 34 nine hole course.
The golf course was originally constructed in 1976 as an 18 hole course and was extended to the current 27 hole layout two years later. With over 40 years in operation, Warley Park is now recognised as a mature and established course with a good reputation as a proprietary golf operation.
Savills offered the property to let on the open Market in January 2020 and the opportunity generated significant interest which led to several bids being received on a closing date in late February. An innovative lease structure was created to enable the clubhouse and outdoor wedding venue to be operated separately to the adjoining golf course.
The clubhouse will be operated by Zayyaan Limited, a successful restaurant and venue business which will invest in the refurbishment of the clubhouse and improvements to the wedding and function facilities.
The 27 hole golf course will be operated by Get Golfing CIO, a Charity Incorporated Organisation whose objectives are to encourage participation in golf for the purposes of improving the physical and mental health of its participants. Golf course users will continue to have access to the clubhouse facilities, with the two businesses working in parallel to mutual benefit.
Ian Simpson, director in the leisure and trade related team at Savills, comments: “This is a landmark letting for two reasons. First, it is rare for a mature golf course business to be offered to let on the open market and secondly it is the first letting to combine two complementary business operations in the lease arrangements from the outset. That the lease completed within a few weeks of terms being agreed is a testament to the collaborative nature of the parties involved, and promises a successful future for Warley Park Golf course.”