A leading golf retailer is consulting employees over a move from its Milnsbridge base.

Direct Golf, Europe’s second largest golf retailer, has its warehouse and HQ at the former Union Mill in Bankwell Road.

The company, founded by professional golfer John Andrew in 1990, has 20 shops throughout the UK.

Mr Andrew, 46, who lives in Shepley, said the firm was considering moving its HQ from the rundown former textile mill to premises in Wetherby.

He stressed that no decision had been made and employees were being consulted.

Around 70 people work at Milnsbridge in warehousing and administration but it is not clear how many staff will be affected.

Direct Golf has two outlets in Huddersfield – Stadium Golf and a shop in Leeds Road.

The retail part of the business remains successful and profitable, said company chairman Mr Andrew.

The move to look at new premises was driven by a need for business “efficiencies”.

Mr Andrew said the golf industry – including retailers and golf clubs themselves – had been badly hit by the weather over the last two years.

That, combined with the harsh economic climate for retailers generally, had proved tough.

“What we are doing is looking for efficiencies so that we remain a profitable business,” said Mr Andrew, who came to Huddersfield aged 17 as assistant professional at Fixby Golf Club.

“Last year the snow wiped almost three months off our business, the year before was the wettest on record and last month has just been the wettest January on record.

“How many more records can we break? Unfortunately we don’t live in Florida.”

The firm, which employs 250 people nationally, had been hit like all retailers.

“You only have to look at Harvey Nichols who had a 70% off sale two weeks before Christmas and then you have the weather.

“This winter hasn’t been particularly cold and retailers are sitting on winter stock they can’t shift – and it’s spring in six weeks.”

Last April Direct Golf – 100% owned by Mr Andrew – announced a £3.5 million re-financing deal with Royal Bank of Scotland.

Mr Andrew said at the time that he had to inject £500,000 of his own money into the business due to poor weather in 2012.

Mr Andrew said it would be a “couple of months” before future plans for Milnsbridge were known.