Officers and Councillors were joined by Hertsmere’s MP Oliver Dowden at a specially-convened Bushey Forum meeting on Thursday, 22 February to provide an update and to answer questions about the closure of Bushey Country Club, which we own.
The closure was announced after Hertsmere Leisure, which manages our leisure contract, gave notice to end its arrangement to operate the club from the start of April as a result of significant financial losses.
At the Bushey Forum meeting, staged at Bushey Academy, Hertsmere Council Chief Executive, Donald Graham, provided an update on the current position and the interim measures that the council are putting in place. These include security and site protection measures to prevent unauthorised access, along with the possibility of using a ‘property guardian’ company to secure and maintain the vacant buildings. Property guardians provide occupation of empty properties through the placement of fully vetted temporary residents, who are working professionals.
To ensure the golf course’s open space remains presentable and in good order, there will also be on-going maintenance of the grounds.
Subject to approval by the Executive in March, Donald Graham also explained that Hertsmere Council would be looking to keep the community centre open until the longer-term future of the site has been agreed.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Morris Bright MBE, who attended and spoke at the meeting, said: “This was a very well-attended meeting arranged by Bushey Forum and a useful opportunity to provide an update and answer questions about a site that local people feel very passionately about.
“The council has been working hard to put in place interim measures to ensure the safety and security of vacant buildings and the upkeep of the open spaces. We’re also working to keep the community centre open in the short term until firmer decisions have been taken about the future of the site and car park arrangements.
“In terms of the longer term future of the site, we’ll be consulting with residents and stakeholders in the coming months and will also do all we can to keep everyone updated and involved.”