Professional golfer's plans for entertainment venue in Yorkshire town approved

Professional golfer Sam Robinson and his wife Natalie are launching indoor golf and entertainment venue FORE! at Beverley’s Flemingate centre. The couple are pictured with Wykeland finance director Chris Crookham and head of retail and leisure Jason (Image: R & R Studio)

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Search the Public Notice Portal A NEW indoor golf and entertainment venue planned for a Yorkshire town has moved one step closer.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has approved a planning application from professional golfer Sam Robinson of FORE Sims Limited to change the use of a vacant commercial unit at the Flemingate Centre in Beverley.

The proposal relates to FORE!, a venue planned by Mr Robinson and his wife Natalie.

It aims to offer sports gaming, crazy golf and a social space for people of all ages.

The two-storey venue should include four golf simulator bays, including one as a VIP suite for larger groups, parties and business events.

Mr Robinson, who has been a professional golfer since 2006 and has competed on the European Challenge Tour, has said he would offer a limited number of coaching sessions upon the approval of plans.

The programme would also include ladies' and junior sessions delivered by other coaches.

A report prepared for East Riding of Yorkshire Council's executive director of prosperity and place, which recommended the application for approval said: "Within this sustainable and accessible location, the proposal would bring a vacant commercial unit back into use, provide additional employment opportunities, and would support and complement the mixed use offer of the Flemingate Centre without resulting in unacceptable harm to the vitality or viability of Beverley town centre."

Flemingate features high street and independent retailers, restaurants, cafés and leisure attractions, all against the backdrop of Beverley Minster.

(Image: R & R Studio)

During the application process, Sam Robinson said: "FORE! will bring something completely different to Beverley, giving people the chance to try something new and exciting, even if they’ve never picked up a club before.

"We want FORE! to be more than somewhere to play golf.

"We want it to become a real social hub for the community – a place where people can catch up with friends, enjoy a drink, and have fun."

The application says the proposals would have a negligible effect on the highway network and parking because there would be no additional floorspace - servicing and deliveries would use the existing service yard behind the unit.

Flemingate is owned and operated by Hull-based Wykeland Group.

The centre includes high street and independent retailers, restaurants and leisure attractions.

Jason Platten, head of retail and leisure at Wykeland Group, said: "FORE! will complement Flemingate’s existing retail and leisure offer perfectly.

"As an innovative, independent venture, it will bring something new and distinctive to Beverley, attracting a broad range of visitors and adding another reason for people to spend time at Flemingate."

A spokesperson for FORE Sims Limited said FORE! is scheduled to open at the end of September.