THE future of Knights Grange Golf Club in Winsford remains uncertain, almost six months after it closed.

The popular golf club, based at the Knights Grange sports complex off Grange Lane, was shut down at the beginning of October last year after its operator, Irish company Mack Golf, ceased trading immediately.

Mack Golf had also operated Hooton Golf Club in Ellesmere Port, which was also closed down.

When Mack Golf ceased trading on October 3, the Cheshire West and Chester Council terminated the lease and other agreements in order to take back control of the site and secure its future.

Since then, the council has been carrying out a regular maintenance programme on both sites while council officers have been working to find a replacement operator willing to take over the courses.

The council has now announced that Hooton Golf Club will reopen next month after securing a new operator, but says it has yet been able to secure an operator for Knights Grange.

Cllr Louise Gittins, cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council took back control of Hooton Golf Club in Ellesmere Port and Knights Grange Golf Club in Winsford in October 2018.

“Since then we have assessed all potential options for the future of the sites.

“We have been able to find a commercial operator for Hooton Golf Club but sadly we have been unable to identify a viable commercial proposal for Knights Grange Golf Club at this stage.

“The council will continue to explore all options to secure the future of sports provision on Knights Grange Golf Club.

“We have engaged with former customers of the golf club to keep them informed of the progress we are making and to discuss the interim situation. Other leisure activities at the site are continuing as normal.”

Ellesmere Port’s Hooton Golf Club will re-open at the end of March, but its operator is yet to be announced publicly.

Cllr Gittins said when announcing the reopening: “We have been working to find a solution to the problem in order to have the golf club reopened in time for the spring and summer so that golfers in Ellesmere Port will be able to return to the course.

“We have assessed the available options and are now pleased to say that a preferred operator has been found for the club.

“We are now putting arrangements in place with the operator and we will be able to announce more details as we get nearer to our anticipated late March opening.”