News

The world’s second oldest golf shop is set for changes after its Carnoustie owners revealed new plans for the landmark.

Since 1905, Simpsons on Links Parade has witnessed events on the town’s Championship course just yards away.

Those include Open Championship triumphs for greats including Henry Cotton, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Tom Watson and, in 1999, Scot Paul Lawrie.

Legions of golfers from around the globe have walked through the door underneath its colourful umbrella-shaped roof.

Now, fresh plans have been submitted for the C-listed building.

It is set to become a centre celebrating the game, as well as the name which has graced the building for 120 years.

It is named after former Carnoustie professional Robert Simpson, who began his career as a curator in 1883 before the shop moved to its current site.

Carnoustie Golf Heritage and Hospitality Group bought Simpsons earlier this year after taking over the town’s golf operations.

It wants to create a golf interpretation centre and make repairs which will preserve it for decades to come.

Drawings by local architects Brunton Design show its distinctive domed turret will remain.

Improvements will include a raised path, automatic door and accessible WC, as well as new internal lighting.

A spokesperson said: “Being a listed building, we are working with Angus Council to ensure that the repairs are done sensitively and retain the historical features and character of the building.”

The shop has already been emptied, with some of the stock moved to the pro shop at Links House.

Meanwhile, CGHH is pressing on with the revamp of a town centre bar it also owns.

The one-time Golf Inn on Park Avenue is to be officially re-named Maxi’s in a nod to the Maxibell restaurant which was there previously.

“Our teams have been working extremely hard on structural changes to the interior and have begun some of the external work,” added CGHH.

“We are making good progress and looking forward to sharing more updates soon.”

It said concept images of how Maxi’s might look were continuing to undergo changes.

“We are continuing to tweak the design to ensure it’s fit for purpose…it is highly anticipated within the town.”

This article appeared in The Courier on 10 December 2025.