Thousands of people have flocked to a new town centre adventure golf course which has been dubbed a “brilliant success”.
The £430,000 attraction in Beachfields, Sheerness, has proved a hit with visitors since opening eight weeks ago.
Sheerness Shipwreck Adventure Golf Course has been visited by thousands of people. Picture: Joe Crossley
New figures from Swale council shows more than 4,900 people visited the heritage-themed 18-hole course after it launched at the end of July.
The authority says this has “exceeded” its expectations.
Meanwhile, one Sheerness chippy boss told KentOnline how his business was reaping some of the rewards of the project.
Hamid Ullah, who has been the boss of the Fishermans Catch, in nearby Broadway, for five and a half years, said this summer had been one of the busiest he has seen.
The 39-year-old, who lives in the town, said: “We have seen an upturn in business.
Boss of Fishermans Catch, Hamid Ullah, says he has seen an upturn in business this summer – partly thanks to the new golf course. Picture: Google Maps
“I think the hot weather also helped.
“But when we asked customers what brought them to the town, some said they had come from Sittingbourne or Minster to visit the golf course.
“They said they liked the course and that it was the nearest to them.”
Sheerness ward councillor Dolley Wooster (Lab) says that not only has the course brought in the visitors, it has also stopped anti-social behaviour (ASB).
She said: “Historically, we had late-night drinking, drug selling and anti-social use of dogs.
Sheerness ward councillor Dolley Wooster (Lab) called the course a ‘brilliant success’
“But beat officers have told me that they have seen this ASB decrease since the building of the golf course.
“It has also been a brilliant success because it has been extremely busy, which is great news.
“What we are now pushing for is for it to be booked out for community groups days – part-funded by Swale and Sheerness councils.
“We are in a deprived area, so we need to ensure everyone gets to enjoy it.”
The course has also created 15 new jobs and is being run by Serco on behalf of the council.
The centrepiece of the Sheerness Adventure Golf Course is the SS Richard Montgomery. Picture: Joe Crossley
The news was revealed at a Sheppey Area Committee held at Leysdown Village Hall on Thursday, September 18.
Other updates on the £20million Sheerness Revival Scheme were also announced during the meeting.
Council officers said work on EKC Sheppey College’s expansion is now behind schedule.
It is expected to be completed in December rather than October and open to pupils in January.
Contractors Jenner are making sure the building is being made weather-tight with windows being installed. Internal works are expected to commence in the coming weeks.
The new building at EKC Sheppey is taking shape
The £5.48million facility will offer new places for students aged 16 to 19.
It will allow the college to expand its curriculum and offer courses in creative, engineering and logistics.
Meanwhile, early design work has begun on TAG Active and Soft Play activities at Beachfields, which is due to come forward next year.
Work is also ongoing on the revamp of Sheppey Leisure Complex, which started in May, and on the transformation of three garages at Masters House into dedicated business workshops.
The government-funded scheme aims to improve education and leisure facilities on Sheppey.
