Lockerbie Golf Club management must swing into action quickly if they want to remain at their present site.
Dumfries and Galloway Council issued the club with a 12-month notice of termination of lease last December, which has now run its course.
The club has the option to negotiate a new lease agreement with the council and is keen to do so, but this has yet to completed.
The current lease expires on May 14, 2022, leaving less than five months to spare, however club leaders this week said they are “confident it will all be sorted out in time”.
The matter was discussed at the council’s Lockerbie and Lochmaben common good fund sub-committee on Tuesday.
A report by Annandale North ward council officer Steven Wylie explained that he met with representatives of the club on April 27 and June 15 this year to discuss the termination notice.
He wrote: “The club conveyed they wished to find a resolution and to submit a proposal for a new lease going forward.
“Support and guidance have been provided to Lockerbie Golf Club regarding their proposed proposal submission.
“This has included providing guidance on developing a business plan, the club’s longer-term future, sustainability, diminishing their arrears, community consultation and funding opportunities.”
Further advice was provided regarding the option of a community asset transfer and how a business plan would have to be developed.
However, it appears that little movement occurred thereafter.
The council report states: “Further communication was made with the club on August 4, 2021, seeking an update on progress.
“The club responded indicating that their members were fully aware of the situation and what needs to be achieved, that they had initiated the process of preparing a business plan, and had met with Castlemilk (Estate) regarding paying off rent arrears and negotiating a more realistic rental figure going forward.
“The club further conveyed that a mixture of holidays, good weather and visitors on the course were slowing down progress with a proposal.”
A spokesman for Lockerbie Golf Club said: “The lease will be extended. We are working on plans and are in communication with the council at the present time. We don’t expect there to be any problems.
“We’ll come forward with a proposal and hopefully the council will accept it.”
