Kate and Geoff Scandrett from Brown’s Golf and Blue Tiki Cafe have, with a heavy heart, announced they will not be reopening the golf courses and cafe for a further season.
The couple took on the lease in April 2021 and have been responsible for attracting big crowds to the seaside town, hosting live music events such as Lucid (pictured), as well as the brilliant Hullabaloo events among others.
“Unable to agree a new lease”
In a statement issued today (Thursday), the couple explain their 18-month lease with the Isle of Wight council expired in October 2022,
“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.”
“Gutted about the decision”
They added,
“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.”
Image: © Lucid playing 2022 by Paul Coueslant Sandown Hub
