A country club is to close due to "unsustainable" financial losses.

Hertsmere Borough Council announced today (Friday) that Bushey Country Club, which includes a golf course and community centre will close on April 1.

Hertsmere Leisure Trust (HLT), which manages the council's leisure contract, says that years of financial losses at the High Street club has left operations "untenable".

Last year, according to the council, the club lost nearly £700,000; equivalent to around 10 per cent of Hertsmere's council tax requirement.

The council is working with the trust to find alternative venues and Bushey Grove leisure centre has been mooted.

The country club is home to a gym, while the venue also provides a space for fitness classes, as well as parties, weddings, and functions.

As part of the relocation programme, there are proposals to invest at other council-owned leisure facilities, such as Bushey Grove. This includes extending the gym to accommodate the fitness members from the country club and the provision of additional community spaces.

Cllr Morris Bright, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: “While we are disappointed to announce that Bushey Country Club and community centre will be closing in the spring, we are working with Hertsmere Leisure Trust, which runs leisure facilities on our behalf, to ensure there are adequate leisure and community facilities in Bushey and the surrounding area.

“As well as exploring continued provision of leisure facilities, we’re also giving consideration to the best future use of the building and grounds. No decisions have been taken about the future of the site and we will look to consult with stakeholders and residents in due course about any proposals.

“We have a responsibility to our residents to get good value from the assets that we own and the decision to close this facility has been made as a result of continued unsustainable financial losses by Hertsmere Leisure Trust.”

David Brame, HLT’s chief executive, said: “In recent years Hertsmere Leisure Trust has worked extremely hard to improve the performance of Bushey Country Club, the golf course and Bushey Community Centre.

"However, despite making numerous investments and improvements, it is with extreme disappointment that the difficult decision has been made to end the arrangement to operate these facilities."

- Do you have happy memories of good times at Bushey Country Club? Email us at nathan.louis@london.newsquest.co.uk