The move follows talks between the City Council and the LTA that began in August 2021. Public consultation was undertaken on proposals for the LTA to take over the lease to secure its future. The arrangement would build on the centre’s success, aiming to further develop it as a key grass-court tournament venue, enable further investments to develop the facility into a world-class tennis training and competition base, while retaining community and public tennis facilities.

Developed by Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Tennis Centre was opened in 1990 and has grown to be the largest public tennis centre in the UK with 39 courts including 11 indoors, nine grass and 19 hard courts.

It hosts a range of tournaments throughout the year, including the Nottingham Open, which is held before The Championships, Wimbledon. The centre is also used for tennis coach education, and by The University of Nottingham to deliver their tennis programme as an LTA Regional Player Development Centre.

Before lockdown, Nottingham Tennis Centre was working with 60 schools with over 9,000 young people taking part in tennis sessions. The plans mean the city council will save £140,000 over the next two years by no longer having to subsidise the running of the centre.

“We’re delighted to be taking over the lease and running of the centre. This is a strategically important site for British tennis, and this move will allow us to safeguard its future. Work has already begun on upgrading the existing tennis facilities and there are more plans in the pipeline, as we look to add additional indoor courts over the next 12 months. These changes will help us support the thriving community tennis programme as well as provide infrastructure for events throughout the year. The tennis courts will be amongst the best in the country, but still available for the local community to use,” said Gary Stewart, LTA head of operations.