AFTER three and half years of serving golfers and locals, Carlisle's The Clubhouse will be moving on. 

The restaurant and bar, located at the Stoney Holme Golf Course, is inviting everyone to join them for a farewell celebration today (January 20) before they move to a new site. 

It comes as Cumberland Council has placed a tender out for the management of the golf course. 

Sam Norman, who has been running The Clubhouse, cited the expiration of the council lease in April and the absence of a new deal as the reasons behind the decision.

"We've enjoyed it here but unfortunately, the tender with the council runs out in April.

"We're just moving on in case it doesn't get renewed. We've got staff, we have to take that step," Sam said. 

Over the years, The Clubhouse has become more than just a golf course space; it has fostered a sense of community by looking after the over 55s golf group, individuals like 'Kev' who finds golf balls daily, and by contributing to the local sports groups with sponsorships for at least 10 football clubs as well placing a defibrillator on the walls. 

"We've really enjoyed it, but it kind of feels it's being taken away before we've started," he said. 

The journey is not over for Sam and his team however, they will be moving into The Shabby in Carlyle's Court from January 26. 

"We used to have The Shabby back in the day. We're fortunate that something like it was available at the right time for us. There's a few more jobs to do but The Shabby is pretty much completed," he said. 

In a bid to say goodbye to Stonyholme in style, The Clubhouse has announced a closing down sale, offering deals such as £3.50 on all draughts and 20 per cent off all food today (January, 20). 

"We've got pints that need sold, and stock that wouldn't be going across. We don't want to see it going to waste - there'll be a few good deals on," he said.