Allow local coaching providers to continue using borough's tennis court

Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, Paul Kohler, has written to Merton council, urging them to save established small tennis coaching businesses in Wimbledon Park under threat from Merton Council's decision to provide one operator with a monopoly over access to the courts.

In the run up to Small Business Saturday, many long-established sports coaches have been notified by the new contractor, Tennis in Merton, that their existing business operations must cease, despite ongoing arrangements made with ID Verde who used to manage the courts on behalf of the Council. Paul argues the tender process was unfair and lacked transparency - most tennis coaches did not even submit a bid as the courts they use were not included in the tender document, and only added after the process had closed. They now face threats to their livelihoods, forced to choose whether to work on behalf of the monopoly provider under their brand, or lose the right to rent and coach on the courts.

The news has been met with fierce backlash from local residents, who were not consulted on this decision to restructure local sports provision. A petition has been circulating locally, with residents condemning the unfair treatment of local businesses and calling for a reversal of the decision. This represents the latest in a series of moves by Merton Council which have prompted public criticism of the management of the LTA's investment in the borough's tennis courts. In April 2023, public backlash came followed Merton Council's sudden and unannounced closure of Dundonald Rec tennis courts for several months, which also serve as a playground for Dundonald Primary School. Parents, residents and councillors were excluded from this decision and denied relevant information.

Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, Paul Kohler said:

Labour run Merton council's management of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA's) investment in the borough's tennis courts “...has consistently been characterised by a desire to put political priorities ahead of residents' needs.”

He cites the latest decision as having already caused “....significant disruption and potentially fatal damage to established small businesses.”

"As part of recognising that mistakes have been made, I am calling on [Merton Council] to make arrangements with your contractor to allow existing local coaching providers to continue hiring courts 1-10 at Wimbledon Park on an ongoing basis, and indeed for other or new local coaching businesses to be given a fair shot at accessing these courts too."

Further information:

The petition can be found here.

Further information on the latest decision can be found here.

Background on previous backlash surrounding Merton's decision-making can be found here and here.