On the instructions of

FOR SALE

Eccleston Park Golf Club Merseyside, L35 4PG

A freehold 18 hole proprietary golf course with well presented, fully refurbished clubhouse in a strong commercial / urban trading location on the edge of Merseyside www.ecclestonparkgolf.co.uk

Eccleston Park Golf Club

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High quality 18 hole 6,477 yard (par 71) golf course constructed to USGA specification

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Practice facilities

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Recently refurbished 633 sq m (6,800 sq ft) clubhouse with superb air conditioned function/conference facilities furnished, fitted and equipped to a good standard

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Modern greenkeeping complex

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Circa 51 hectares (125 acres)

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Established business with excellent reputation & high levels of repeat custom

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Commercial trading location between Liverpool & St. Helens – 851,750 resident population within a 20 minute drive time

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Turnover c. £825,000 (y/e 31.12.11) comprising 51% golf; 13% retail; & 36% food & beverage income

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EBITDA (HO) c. £185,000 (y/e 31.12.11)

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Significantly enhanced year on year EBITDA (HO) growth achieved over last 4 years

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Experienced management team

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One of only a few proprietary golf businesses in the area

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686 members (01.05.12)

Guide price £1.725 million

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Eccleston Park has developed a reputation as a friendly and vibrant

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golf club, with a constantly improving course, which provides an enjoyable and testing challenge for members and visitors alike...

Introduction GVA is instructed by Crown Golf to offer Eccleston Park Golf Club, Merseyside for sale as part of its portfolio rationalisation – Eccleston Park’s location, remote from Crown Golf’s main portfolio in South East England, being the reason for the disposal. Eccleston Park Golf Club is a modern, well presented golf club situated in an urban trading location on the edge of Merseyside; and is one of only a few proprietary golf businesses in the area. The Club achieved an EBITDA (HO) of £183,000 in 2011, and has achieved significant growth in profit over the last four years following clubhouse and course improvements that were completed in 2007. The guide price for the freehold interest in Eccleston Park Golf Club is £1.725 million.

Location Eccleston Park Golf Club enjoys a commercial/urban trading location on the edge of Merseyside, between Liverpool and St. Helens, as shown on the location plan (at the end of the brochure). Approximate distances and journey times to the property are: Central Liverpool

9.6 miles/17 mins

St Helens

3.1 miles/8 mins

Manchester

26.5 miles/40 mins

(Source The AA)

With the M62 Motorway (junction 7) and the M57 Motorway (junction 2) circa 2 and 3 miles respectively from the Club and the nearby A57 leading directly into Liverpool, the property enjoys a highly accessible trading location in a densely populated urban area. An Experion population profile confirms a resident population of 851,750 within a 20 minute drive time. Please note: The post code for the property for use with sat navs is WA9 5BD

“

Eccleston Park is a modern, vibrant and friendly club, with an

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excellent 18 hole golf course set in 125 acres of prime land with easy access from Liverpool, Warrington and St Helens...

Description of the Property Eccleston Park Golf Club was established in 1999 and was acquired by Crown Golf that year. The Club has recently been subject to a comprehensive refurbishment programme including: the re-modelling of part of the golf course; the extension and complete refurbishment of the 19th Century clubhouse; and the construction of a new greenkeeping complex. A courtyard development of high quality residential accommodation is situated towards the centre of the property, adjacent to the clubhouse. Converted in 2005 from a range of traditional farm buildings, the residential accommodation is in separate ownerships and is excluded from the sale. The golf club has been laid out over a mostly level site that extends to circa 51 hectares (125 acres).

The facilities comprise:

18 Hole Golf Course The 18 hole golf course extends to 6,477 yards (par 71) from the white tees and comprises: five par 3s; nine par 4s and four par 5s. The course, which was constructed in 1997 and opened for play in 1999, is arranged as a single loop of 18 holes - with the first tee and eighteenth green starting/finishing at the clubhouse (albeit that several tees are within a short walk of the clubhouse – offering multiple starting points). Greens and tees throughout the course have been constructed to a modified USGA specification. A Rainbird automated irrigation system with pop up sprinklers is laid to all greens, with tees served by standpipes.

The golf course has matured well since opening and now offers players a highly enjoyable and an established venue for golf. A golf course landscaping programme was undertaken through Autumn 2005 to Autumn 2006 to improve the definition of several holes. The course’s key characteristics are its gentle terrain, feature lakes and generous greens. The feature holes on the course include: The 5th - a 531 yard par 5 with a lake on the left of the fairway, with a large green protected by a ditch and two bunkers. The hole looks straightforward, but inaccurate shots are punished. The 14th - the longest hole on the course measuring 576 yards. An accurate tee shot is needed to avoid two fairway bunkers, and then a large lake comes into play on approach to the green. This hole has ruined many a good scorecard.

Greenkeepers’ Facilities The greenkeepers’ facilities are located centrally in the property, adjacent to the car park, with access off the main access road.

The 15th - par 4 dog leg left demanding accuracy from

The building is of 6 bay steel frame construction with,

the tee as a lake and stream come into play. A good tee shot opens up the green and offers a birdie opportunity.

timber weatherboard and concrete block elevations, under a profiled sheet metal roof, with a concrete floor and yard. The building comprises machinery storage areas; workshop facilities; mess room; staff shower; WCs; drying room; storeroom; chemsafe; office and mezzanine storage area.

Practice Facilities An indoor teaching building, 4 netted practice bays, an irrigated practice putting green and 2 chipping greens are located close to the clubhouse/first tee. A junior practice ground (150 yards) is located nearby.

A bunded diesel tank; storage areas for course materials; pump house and the golf course irrigation tank are located nearby.

Clubhouse The clubhouse is located towards the centre of the property and is set amongst landscape grounds with fine views over the 18th green and course beyond. The substantial, two storey building, parts of which originate from the C19th, is constructed of brick and timber weatherboard elevations under a pitched tiled roof. The clubhouse extends to approximately 633 sq m (6,800 sq ft) and comprises: Ground Floor n

Entrance lobby with lift and stairs to first floor

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Ladies golf changing/ locker room/WCs

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Disabled WC

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Golf shop

Gents golf changing/locker room/WCs

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Lounge bar and servery

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Plant room

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Beer cellar

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Store rooms (2)

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Kitchen (commercially fitted and equipped with walk in fridge)

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Separate entrance to sales/ admin offices with stairs to offices (at first floor level)

First Floor n

Stephenson Suite 120 covers (maximum) with integral bar comprising:

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East Suite bar/lounge - 70 covers

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West Suite (with separate entrance; dividing acoustic panel & overhead projector) – 50 covers

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Ladies and Gents WCs

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Balcony/roof terrace overlooking 18th green with awning and external stairs to ground floor level.

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Satellite kitchen and goods lift

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Food prep area

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Sales office

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Admin offices (2)

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Staff room

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Staff WC

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Store room

Tenure & Possession The clubhouse was extended and fully refurbished during 2006 (re-opening in March 2007). The whole accommodation is presented and is furnished, fitted and equipped to a high standard, with a warm convivial/ stylish atmosphere. The Stephenson Suite, Lounge Bar and Pro Shop are air conditioned. A tarmacadam surfaced golfers’ car park (with gated barrier entrance) adjoins the clubhouse and provides parking for over 100 cars.

Eccleston Park is freehold. We are instructed that vacant possession of Eccleston Park Golf Club will be available on completion of the sale, subject to members’ annual golfing rights. The access road to the property forms part of the freehold title. The courtyard of private houses situated adjacent to the clubhouse has been granted rights of way over the access road, subject to a maintenance contribution.

Eccleston Park Golf Club

The Existing Business Eccleston Park Golf Club is an established proprietary golf business that has delivered significant profit growth since the refurbishment of the facilities in 2007.

Detailed trading accounts will be made available to parties who have made an accompanied inspection of the property and have signed an NDA.

In the year to 31st December 2011 the turnover of the business was £825,000 (rising from £770,000 in 2010) producing an EBITDA (HO) of £183,000 (rising from £146,000 in 2010). The EBITDA (HO) of the business has increased annually for the last 4 years, reflecting the quality of the local management team and the Club’s renewed status in the regional market.

Membership

During the 2011 calendar year the business mix was approximately 51% golf; 13% retail; and 36% food and beverage; income, emphasising the strength of the business’ high margin golf income that helps drive EBITDA (HO).

Eccleston Park Golf Club had a total membership of 686 as at 1st May 2012. Historic membership numbers are: Year to 31.12.11

691 members

Year to 31.12.10

673 members

Year to 31.12.09

688 members

Circa 50% of annual members renew their memberships on 1st May; the remaining memberships being on a rolling renewal basis. Fees for the current (12/13) season (including VAT but excluding EGU fees) are: Category Subscription DD

Trading History

7 Day Individual

Financial statements for the business for the years ending 31st December 2009 – 2011 can be summarised as shown below:

7 Day Joint

Subscriptions

Yr End 31.12.09 315,000

Yr End 31.12.10 306,000

Yr End 31.12.11 302,000

Green fees

48,000

43,000

57,000

Societies fees

25,000

28,000

41,000

Shop

95,000

93,000

112,000

Buggies & hire

10,000

14,000

18,000

Food & Beverage

268,000

286,000

295,000

761,000 149,000

770,000 149,000

825,000 167,000

Payroll

332,000

326,000

327,000

Overheads

173,000

149,000

148,000

107,000

146,000

183,000

Turnover CoS

EBITDA (HO)

£781.00

£69.00

£1,386.00

£120.00

£616.00

£54.00

£1,166.00

£100.00

Intermediate

£495.00

£43.00

Junior

£231.00

£21.00

5 Day Individual 5 Day Joint

Green Fees The green fees for the current 2012 season include:

Visitor Member’s Guest

18 holes wk

£30.00

£16.00

18 holes w/e or BH

£40.00

£19.00

Services Roundage

Clubhouse

Crown Golf’s records confirm that the club achieved 27,600 rounds during the 2011 calendar year, an increase of 15% over 2010 and 4% ahead of 2009.

Mains water and electricity

Societies

Mains gas cooking

Eccleston Park Golf Club is an ideal society venue and enjoys many repeat visits. 160 societies played at the course in the year to 31.12.11, with 150 societies having played or already booked in the year to 31.12.12.

Mains drainage Mains gas fired central heating Telecommunications Greenkeepers building Mains electricity and water Mains drainage

Buggy/Trolley Hire

Mains gas heating

The hire charges for the current season are: Buggies

£20.00 per round

Trolleys

£3.00 per round

Weddings, Conferences & Functions Eccleston Park Golf Club has established an excellent reputation as a functions and weddings venue. 19 weddings were hosted during 2011, with 22 weddings already hosted / booked for 2012.

Golf Course Water for the golf course irrigation system is supplied from a borehole

Energy Performance Certificate The Energy Performance Certificate for the clubhouse confirms that the property has an Energy Performance Asset Rating of B (42).

Licences St. Helens Council Licensing Department confirms that the property has been granted a Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003. The permitted opening hours of the premises are Monday - Sunday 07.00 a.m. to 01.00 a.m.; with licensed hours between 07.00 a.m. to 01.00 a.m. Monday - Sunday. The Stephenson Suite has a licence for Civil Ceremonies (for up to 70 people).

Golf Course Maintenance Equipment Eccleston Park Golf Club has a full complement of modern golf course maintenance equipment, the great majority of which is owned outright and is included in the sale.

Rateable Value St Helens Council confirms that the Rateable Value of the ‘golf course and premises’ is £56,000 (with effect from 6th March 2010).

Staff Eccleston Golf Club employs 24 staff, comprising a mix of full time and part time employees. Further information on staffing levels will be supplied to parties who have made an accompanied inspection and have signed an NDA. It is understood that TUPE will apply to the sale of the property/the business.

A copy of the full EPC is available to interested parties as part of the Further Information Memorandum that has been prepared for the property.

Town & Country Planning St Helens Council confirms that the property falls under the St Helens Unitary Development Plan, which was adopted in 1998. The majority of policies of the UDP were saved indefinitely by the Secretary of State from 27th September 2007. St Helens Council confirms that the Council’s new Local Development Framework (which will incorporate the Council’s Core Strategy) will be adopted during 2012. The property is currently classified as Green Belt.

manager’s house, staff accommodation, clubhouse, bar, function room, restaurant, professional’s shop and ancillary facilities, with related car park. The consent is subject to a S.106 Agreement requiring the Applicant to prepare (and subsequently implement) an ecologically based Management Plan (which has been implemented). 2004/0523: Alterations and extensions to clubhouse incorporating new pro shop, changing facilities and extended bar/dining area.

The principal planning consents for the property include: There are no public rights of way across the property. 1993/066: Formation of 18 hole golf course including the excavation of lakes and ponds, together with the re-use and conversion of the farmhouse and main farm buildings (former Rainhill Hospital) to provide a

A59

6 A580

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Eccleston Park Golf Club

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St Helens A58

M57 A570

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Liverpool

A57

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M62

6

7

A5300

Please note: The post code for the property for use with sat navs is WA9 5BD

Basis of Disposal

Web Site

The guide price for the freehold interest in Eccleston Park Golf Club is £1.725 million.

For a further insight into Eccleston Park Golf Club visit www.ecclestonparkgolf.co.uk

The property is held within a separate company within the Crown Golf portfolio and thus the sale will be by way of the disposal of the entire issued share capital of Eccleston Park Golf Club Ltd. Stocks are to be taken over by the purchaser, at valuation, on completion of the sale. The sale contract will include a clause reserving a percentage of future non golf/leisure development value to the vendor.

Further Information & Viewing For further information on Eccleston Park Golf Club, or to arrange an accompanied inspection of the property, please contact: Ben Allen BSc Hons MRICS Direct line: 020 7911 2360 Mobile: 07920 812 018 Email: [email protected]

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Ben Allen BSc Hons MRICS Direct line: 020 7911 2360 Mobile: 07920 812 018 Email: [email protected]

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Important Notice GVA is a trading name of GVA Grimley Limited. Conditions under which particulars are issued by GVA Grimley Limited for themselves, for any joint agents and for the vendors or lessors of this property for whom they act, are: (i) the particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending purchases or lessors and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract. (ii) all descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permission for use and occupation, and other details, are given in good faith and are believed to be correct but any intending purchasers or tenants should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them.

(iii) no person in the employment of GVA Grimley Limited or any joint agents has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property. (iv) all rentals and prices are quoted exclusive of VAT Reproduced by courtesy of the Controller of HMSO Crown Copyright reserved. Licence No 774359. If applicable, with consent of Chas E Goad, Cartographers, Old Hatfield, Geographers A-Z Map Co Ltd and/or The Automobile Association. For identification purposes only. These particulars were produced in June 2012. Photographs are from archive.