05/06/2026
Browns Golf and the café within the golf shop will be open until 7:00pm this evening.
As we move into July and August, we plan to extend our opening hours significantly, including more evening openings to accommodate visitors and local players.
This year has been exceptionally challenging. Weather conditions have played a major role, with periods of excessive heat, strong winds, and persistent rain all affecting visitor numbers. This is particularly frustrating given that the golf courses are in the best condition I have seen since I started playing here.
Despite receiving fantastic feedback from customers, the main café is only just breaking even this year, a stark contrast to last season's performance.
I won't go into detail about the ongoing issues with the council, but the restrictions attached to our lease continue to limit what we can and cannot do. Over the past three years, we have worked tirelessly to transform the courses into what they are today. It is therefore disappointing that the council continues to state that the long-term future of Browns remains uncertain due to wider plans for the area.
It is extremely difficult to operate a business with this level of uncertainty hanging over it. Naturally, it also affects our willingness and ability to invest for the future.
I have recently submitted a formal letter of complaint to the council outlining a number of issues that have hindered our progress. Alongside this, I have presented a detailed business plan which includes the addition of a small number of static holiday caravans to create golf-break packages and attract further tourism to the area.
Within the café itself, we have ambitions to refurbish the space, including replacing carpets, upgrading furniture, and investing in new kitchen equipment. However, for these investments to make sense, we need lease arrangements that support business growth rather than restrict it.
Last year, the golf courses welcomed more than 10,000 visitors and have been enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
The success of the courses appears to have surprised some Isle of Wight Council officers and councillors. Personally, I find that surprising given the iconic nature of the venue. In my view, it simply required a clear sporting vision and a commitment to unlocking its potential.
I am undoubtedly passionate about Browns Golf, and I will continue to make the strongest possible case for its future on behalf of local residents and the thousands of visitors who return year after year.
As new councillors take office, I hope they recognise the importance of supporting businesses and attractions that contribute to the island's economy. Alongside concerns about hotel closures, road infrastructure, and ferry costs, these issues are critical to the Isle of Wight's future prosperity.
The island has enormous potential. With the right leadership, investment, and long-term vision, it can thrive. Without those things, the current decline will become increasingly difficult to reverse.
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