Essex golf club and development for sale
March 13, 2012

A members-only golf club, two further 9-hole pay-and-play golf courses and a holiday lodge venue near Chelmsford in Essex, are being brought to the market by the leisure specialist adviser Christie + Co on behalf of the administrators.

Durham Fruit Farms Limited, operators of the Warren Golf Club and the Bunsay Downs and Badgers pay-and-play golf courses, and Warren Lifestyle Ltd, trading as Herbage Park holiday lodge venue, entered administration last month (February). Jason Baker and Glyn Mummery, partners of FRP Advisory, were appointed as Joint Administrators to the two companies, which are owned by the same family group of shareholders.

On an estate of around 374 acres, the assets include the Warren Golf Club - an 18-hole par 70 golf course with clubhouse, bar/restaurant and a pro-shop. The two 9-hole golf courses also have their own clubhouse and bar and also included is a four-bedroom detached house in 20 acres.

Meanwhile, the Herbage Park holiday lodge venue comprises 31 lodges, three of which are owned, and accompanying leisure facilities. In addition, the development includes planning for another 17 lodges and an application for a further 26 lodges.

Anthony Jenkins, Associate Director of Christie + Co, says: "We're delighted to report that there has already been significant early interest in this superb leisure opportunity. With such a unique and multi-faceted offering, we would expect the sales process to be swiftly expedited."

Christie + Co is inviting freehold offers for all or parts of the businesses for sale, with a second round of bidding for bona fide applicants expected.

The businesses will continue to trade as normal during the sales process.