Fifteen-year deal for golf club approved by council

It will ensure the course and club are maintained without further cost to the council

A new deal to secure "the long-standing heritage of golf" in Farnham has been agreed.

Waverley Borough Council approved a new contract with current tenant SQ Leasing for the Farnham Park Golf Club and Cafe in Folly Hill, Surrey, at a meeting on Tuesday.

Details still remain private but the new tie-up is expected to bring in more than £200,000 over 15 years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Councillor Mark Merryweather, portfolio holder for finance, assets and property, called the club an "important community facility promoting health, wellbeing, and recreation".

He added: "The new lease will secure a stable income stream and ensure that the golf course and club are maintained without further cost to the council over the 15- year term.

"It also underpins the service level agreement that we have with SQ Leasing ensuring that the cafe and the public toilet facilities continue to operate."

SQ Leasing emerged as the preferred candidate following an open marketing campaign.

Merryweather described them as having "demonstrated a strong performance" so far, adding: "The lease will help preserve the long-standing heritage of golf on the site, support employment and avoid the risks and cost of vacancy".

The club will also help with tree management and work within the council's pesticide rules, the meeting heard.