Browns Golf Course and the Tiki Cafe in Sandown will be closing its doors later this year.
The current occupants - Geoff and Kate Scandrett - said they have not been able to come to an agreement about a new lease with the Isle of Wight Council. The current lease expired in October last year.
They've said they have no option but to sadly close the popular attraction on Culver Parade, because they cannot guarantee their financial future due to the council's lack of long-term commitment and increasing running costs.
The Sandown Sprint event in March WILL be going ahead, before Browns closes in April.
In a statement, Geoff and Kate, said:
"We'd like to inform all our friends and customers in Sandown, around the Island and in many places further afield that, with great sadness, we will not be opening the golf courses and café for a further season.
"Our 18-month lease with the Isle of Wight Council expired in October 2022 and we're sorry to say that we've been unable to agree a new lease, which gives us confidence we'd be able to invest all that's needed in Brown's and return a reasonable business profit over the term on offer.
"The current economic climate and difficult financial factors, including rising energy costs, were also part of our decision, and we've given notice to the Council that we'll be leaving Brown's in April.
"We're pleased to say that the 2023 Sandown Sprint on the weekend of 25 and 26 March will be going ahead, with hospitality provided on site.
"We're gutted about the decision we've had to make and it's hard to admit defeat, even in the face of difficult circumstances. We've felt privileged to be the custodians of Brown's for the last two years, and were proud to have been involved when the golf course celebrated its 90th anniversary in March 2022. May we thank all our customers who welcomed us and have been so supportive.
"We've made many friends and hope that a new business will be able to pick up the baton to ensure that Brown's remains a big part of Sandown's story, as it has been for so long."
Responding, the Isle of Wight Council said:
"The lessee informed IWC of their decision to terminate the lease in January. IWC had offered a five year lease to allow the lessee to invest in the site and there were no changes to the full repairing lease proposed by IWC, nor were the council proposing to increase the rent.
"IWC is now looking at options to re-advertise or manage the golf course in house. We are meeting with stakeholders in early March to develop a masterplan for the whole area which will include looking at the long term future of the golf course."
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