Shock as Brocket Hall enters administration

One of England’s premier golf clubs, Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, has entered administration.

The shock news comes just a year after the golf club announced it was spending nearly half a million pounds on buying a new fleet of golf buggies and greenkeeping machinery, refurbishing its changing room facilities and redecorating its restaurant. Also in the last 18 months the club has formed a partnership with Tottenham Hotspur and appointed model Jodie Kidd to develop its ladies’ golf section.

Now that the venue’s operator, Brocket Hall International (BHI), is in administration, the lease for the historic estate, including the Auberge du Lac restaurant, is up for sale.

The administrators have stated that the move has come after a “protracted period of poor trading” which led to financial difficulties for the business.

The 543-acre estate, the one-time home of former British prime minister Lord Palmerston, comprises a golf club centred around two courses, an 18th century stately home with meeting rooms, a conference suite, dining rooms and 46 guest rooms, and the five-star restaurant.

Lord Brocket owns the freehold of the estate but placed the lease into the hands of a board of trustees when he was jailed over an insurance scam in the 1990s. The lease was then passed to BHI, which incurred a net loss of over £1m for its last accounting period, with net liabilities of nearly £1.9m.

Its move into administration was precipitated by a winding-up petition from HMRC.

The administrator said it would honour all bookings and deposits, and that golf club membership was unaffected. It will work alongside experienced industry operator, John Weir, of Cornerstone Golf, to ensure continuity.

Peter Holder, joint administrator from AlixPartners Services UK LLP, said: “Brocket Hall and its magnificent grounds represents a fantastic opportunity in the luxury hospitality and leisure sector. We are confident there will be a significant number of interested parties in acquiring this truly unique and historic estate. We would also like to go on record and thank the staff for their continued support and professionalism during this process.”