BARNARD Castle’s mini golf course could be up and running within in two weeks – however, concerns over a contactless payment system may mean it would have to stay shut for the rest of the year.
The course, operated by the town council, has been closed since the start of the coronavirus lockdown in March.
Members heard at their latest meeting on Monday, July 27, work to deep clean the course and clear away leaves had started.
Clerk to the council, Martin Clark, said he had investigated a payment system using mobile phone technology, similar to that used by traders on the market.
However, it has to be registered to a person rather than the council.
He said: “It can be any name because it is just the contact and I have no problem with it being my name as the money would go into the council’s account and it would mean the purchase of a mobile phone.”
However, Cllr Sandra Moorhouse thought this was not appropriate because of the need for transparency.
She said: “I don’t think it would be very appropriate and I think the responsible financial officer needs to ask the auditor’s opinion.”
Mr Clark added: “We possibly have two members of staff and have worked on that and we think in two weeks it could be open. It’s not brilliant but it would be open for part of the summer.”
He said hours of opening would need to be discussed with only two members of staff.
However, he added: “If we can’t do contactless payment then we may not be able to move forward as people are not happy handling money. It may be that we have to say that we have lost it for this year.”
