Council invites interest for a new operator at former Approach Golf Course

Bath & North East Somerset Council has started a second supplier engagement exercise with the intention of finding a new operator for the site of the former Approach Golf Course in Bath.

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.

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.

One proposal for disc-golf was received which did not offer a long-term solution for the site. The council declined this offer and retained the High Common as open public space for informal use.

Now, potential operators will once more be invited to register their interest with the council via the 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.”

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.