Meole Brace Golf Course Management Contract

Shropshire Council is undertaking a Pre-Market Engagement (PME) exercise to seek feedback in relation to the future management of golf-specific services at Meole Brace Golf Course.

The purpose of this engagement is to test market appetite, capability and delivery models for golf course management services prior to any potential future procurement. This exercise is exploratory only and does not form part of a formal tender process.

Description

The Council is seeking market feedback on the provision of an integrated golf course management service, focused on golf shop and customer-facing golf operations, to include the following elements:

a)Golf Professional Services

•Delivery of individual and group golf lessons

•Development and operation of coaching programmes (e.g. beginners, juniors, women, return-to-golf)

•Use and management of a dedicated teaching studio

The operator would be required to provide, install and maintain teaching studio equipment, including relevant coaching technology and teaching aids

b)Golf Shop Operation

•Operation of the golf shop, including golf retail, customer service and basic food and beverage

•Sale of golf equipment, clothing and accessories

The Council requires the golf shop to be staffed by appropriately trained personnel:

7 days per week

Summer period: 8:00am-6:00pm

Winter period: 8:00am-4:00pm

Market feedback is sought on viable staffing, operational and commercial models to meet these requirements

c)Green Fee Collection and Customer Interface

•Collection of green fees

•Management of tee bookings and customer access

•Day-to-day customer interface for golf users

d)Liaison with Grounds Maintenance

The Council will be retaining responsibility for grounds maintenance.

The golf course management function would be expected to:

•Liaise closely with the grounds maintenance team

•Provide operational input on playability, competitions and peak usage

•Engage in regular coordination and planning arrangements

e)Monitoring and Reporting of Course Usage

•Monitoring usage of the golf course (e.g. rounds played, participation trends)

•Providing usage and performance data to the Council to inform future decision making

It should be noted that the Council is in the process of re-tendering a wider leisure management contract to which Meole Brace Golf Course will be added as from 1st August 2027. The contractor providing golf course management services will be required to enter into a novation agreement with the successful bidder of the wider leisure management contract. The Council expect the golf course to remain operational throughout the term of the wider leisure management contract (end date 31st July 2037 with an option to extend by a further 5 years) and provide services not substantially different to those in operation within the scope of the Management Contract at Meole Brace Golf Course.