New leisure destination set for Bury with plans for huge golf simulation centre

Hukd Golf plan to use the currently vacant Link House building on Walmersley Road for a brand new leisure destination for the town.

The centre would have simulators over two floors which would allow visitors to play a virtual round of golf, improve their swing on a driving range, take part in competitions and tournaments, have a round of crazy golf or play arcade games.

The plans also include a café bar and restaurant which Hukd Golf said they hoped would attract a young adult crowd to the attraction in the evenings.

Planning documents lodged with the council in the past week include computer generated images of how the building would be transformed.

The building was originally a car showroom before being re-purposed when Porsche closed their operation there.

Link House is bounded by Walmersley Road to the east, Fox Street to the north and Moor Street to the west.

From 2011 to October 2014 the building was occupied by Bury College Business Solutions and was later used by Freedom Church.

Until April 2021 the building was used by Evolve Military College and since then it has been vacant.

Link House on Walmersley Road

A planning statement published by the council expands on Hukd Golf’s vision for the centre.

It said: “The business would occupy both floors of this 874 sq/m building with golf, café and bar at the ground floor with further golf simulators, back of house and office accommodation at first floor.

"The café and bar will bring a casual dining element to the venue with a range of hot and cold drinks, bar snacks and food options.

“It will therefore be able to cater for anyone entering the venue that would like to enjoy refreshments whilst playing the golf simulator.

"The proposed drawings show that the café bar will have space for 12 tables and additional stools will be placed around the bar area, equating to 57 covers.

“The indoor golf simulator will encourage family participation during the daytime and a young adult demographic in the evening.

"The simulator system is the Foresight GC Quad, used by global tour level golf players as a training and development aid.

“There will be a number of functions available on the simulators.”

An image with the plans

The firm said the hours of operation being applied for are 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.

The plans say there would be nine car spaces in an adjacent car park, three alongside the building and a further 30 in a separate car park nearby.

The planning statement concluded: “The growing popularity of golf, alongside the technology and leisure experience to be offered and the sustainable location of the site, means the facility should appeal to a diverse range of customers including residents of and visitors to the borough.

“The new venue will complement the existing leisure facilities Bury has to offer.”

The plans will be decided on in the coming weeks.