Heaton Park Golf Course is closed as its operators have ceased trading with immediate effect.

An insolvency process has commenced as operators of the golf course, Mack Trading, close all its UK businesses.

This means that Stanley Park Golf Course in Blackpool as well as three courses in Cheshire and Mersey will also be affected.

A notice was displayed at Heaton Park yesterday stating that due to “unavoidable financial difficulties” Mack Trading (Heaton Park) Ltd and Mack Trading Amenity Management Group Ltd are closed for business.

The 18-hole golf course, which opened in 1912, was voted Great Britain’s Best Municipal in 2005.

In a statement, Heaton Park and Hall said that the facilities are closed to the public until further notice.

The statement said: “We understand this is extremely disappointing for our customers and we are working hard to secure a resolution. We’ll keep you updated as soon as we know anything more.”

The operators are now in the process of a creditors' voluntary liquidation.

An insolvency practitioner will assess all business debts, evaluate them in order of priority and decide whether the debt will be paid or discharged.

Manchester City Council were informed of the situation yesterday.

Executive member for Schools, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Luthfur Rahman, said: “This is clearly extremely disappointing for the many people who enjoy playing golf at Heaton Park.

“However, we remain fully committed to ensuring that affordable, high-quality golf facilities are available at the park and will identify a new long-term operator, while also examining all possible options to keep the course open to golfers in the short-term."