Chairman’s Report – May 2017
Horsham Football Club (HFC) You will probably have heard that our landlord, Horsham Football Club (HFC), and their developers (Reside) were finally granted planning consent, in March 2017. This means that HFC will have a new stadium built near Horsham Golf and Fitness and The Holbrook Club (THC) will have a reduced sports field, to release some land for new houses. Our compensation for losing that land is a new 25-year lease, which will enable THC to apply for available sports development grants and loans.
Even though planning consent was granted in March 2017, it is likely that contracts and leases won’t be exchanged until September or October 2017.
Club Facilities Having a 25-year lease means THC may be eligible for grants and loans, and THC Executive Committee have a number of developments in mind (subject to funding and planning consent). Maximising use of facilities at the Club will be a main focus, so a new floodlit artificial pitch for football and/or rugby will be high on the list. There will also be plans to enlarge the lounge bar.
Finances
In 2016, we achieved a net profit of £17k, which was a great improvement on the loss of £15k in 2015. Thanks should go to all our staff who helped achieve this.
The Club needs to increase income so that we ultimately achieve a profit of circa £50k per annum year-on-year. To that end, THC Executive Committee are currently considering 2 key options which would generate additional income to fund maintenance and improvements at the Club:
- We are in contact with Horsham Hockey Club (HHC), to see if THC could become their new home. This would increase our membership by around 300 members.
- The sports hall could be converted to a ‘play barn’.
Obviously, both options would have some impact on existing facilities and existing members. The extent of the impact is being assessed, and these potential changes may not proceed.
Membership
Membership of the Club has levelled at approx. 1900 members. The introduction of the new ‘Premier’ membership category, which offers Peak Gym, plus all fitness classes & Unlimited Sport, for one convenient (& competitive) price of just £38 per month, has been a great success and it is hoped more members will transfer to this option.
Simon Charman
The Holbrook Club Chairman