THE sale of Sherdley Park Golf Course in St Helens appears to be reaching its final stages, it can be revealed.

Last year the 18-hole municipal golf course and driving range, which costs St Helens Council £230,000 a year to operate, was placed under review.

A deadline of March 31 was put in place for any potential purchases, and if a deal is not struck before that date the golf course and driving range will close.

The course is home to St Helens Golf Club and Sherdley Park Golf Club, which is private.

Robert Molyneux, Sherdley Park Golf Club secretary, said the council has informed them that a deal is imminent.

Mr Molyneux said: “We received a letter last week to say that the council were in the final negotiating stages with somebody.

“We don’t know who, the council are very private with that information. 

“It is good news.”

Mr Molyneux said the club has informed members of the development.

A spokesman for St Helens Council said: “The council has provided regular updates to members of both clubs that play at Sherdley Park regarding the situation of the golf course.”

On Monday, the council’s cabinet discussed the golf course in private because commercially sensitive material was under consideration.

A budget and performance monitoring report discussed by councillors highlighted the council’s concerns with the golf course.

“Work is continuing with regard to the golf course and driving range marketing exercise to ensure it is completed and a suitable partner identified,” the report said.

The report revealed that as at the end of quarter three of the current financial year, visits to the golf course and driving range were almost 25 per cent off target, with 24,045 visits.

Performance is worse than the same period last year (32,119 visits).

It said the removal of the automated tees and poor weather in the autumn months has contributed to the further drop in performance.

“The golf course and driving range have struggled to meet the income target for a few years despite a number of initiatives implemented, in an attempt to reverse the decline in visitor numbers,” the report said.

“Work is currently ongoing to explore opportunities for alternative provision.”

At a council meeting in January, Cllr Sue Murphy, cabinet member for libraries and leisure, revealed that fourteen companies have shown an interest in moving into the golf course.