What many locally still think of as the Bank of England Sports Club but is now known as the Wimbledon Qualifying and Community Sports Centre is in the news again.

It has been common knowledge for some months that the current freeholders, the Bank of England, are seeking to sell this prime asset.

It is now four days til closure of the bids. Currently bids are sealed and therefore identities are unknown,

It is believed that the property is being offered in four lots, all having different interests and concerns.

The AELTC has a lease on the sports area which can be extended to 2036, which should be sufficient for them to undertake the development of tennis facilities at Wimbledon. But given the current state of legal proceedings in respect of their plans, this is not a given.

If the freehold of that land were to be acquired by an owner which was not the AELTC, they might be less accommodating to the current use of facilities. In the long term – potential disaster – bought by a hotel chain. That would meet with substantial local opposition.

The second major area under offer is the LTA site, with its entrance in Roehampton Lane. They have a much longer lease. The third area is the building near to the entrance on Bank Lane and the fourth a cottage and surrounding land backing onto Roehampton Lane.

Interesting times and we have to keep a close eye on what happens next.

Meanwhile the current use of the area leased by the AELTC has developed substantially. The grass courts were fully booked when they were available during the latter part of the summer. Hard courts had approximately 50% usage, though many will still go the Raynes Park Centre where there are also indoor tennis courts. The use of football pitches, netball courts and pickleball has also expanded.

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