Sale by Bank of England means Wimbledon qualifying tournament will remain
The terrace at the Bank of England Sports Ground. Picture: BoE Centre Members' Group
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The protracted sale of the Bank of England of its sport ground in Roehampton has finally been completed.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has signed a 15-year-lease which means that the qualifying tournament for Wimbledon is almost definitely continuing at the site. It is understood that the pitches will remain available to hire by local clubs.
However, the short term nature of the lease has given rise to concern that the site will ultimately be redeveloped. The AELTC recently announced expansion plans for the development of land holdings in the Wimbledon Park area which would allow it to switch the qualifying matches to there by 2028.
The Bank owned the 32 acre site since the beginning of the twentieth century but decided to sell a lease on the site in September 2019 after MPs complained about the associated cost.
As well as the tennis courts the site includes rugby and football pitches which are converted to cricket in the summer as well as a sports centre.
The site closed to the public earlier this year to allow qualifying tournaments for the Wimbledon Tennis Championships to be hosted there.
Paul Giles, chair of the Bank of England Sports Centre Members’ Group, said, “We are really disappointed that no commitment has been made to re-open the much-needed pool, gym and other indoor amenities, but we are pleased that the outdoor facilities look set to continue.”
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July 16, 2021
