Sheffield tennis club reopens thanks to loyal members who kept paying through lockdown

Abbeydale Tennis Club has reopened outdoor tennis with just two people allowed on court - unless they are from the same household - strict social distancing, one-way markings, staggered booking times, extra cleaning and new rules including no changing of ends and no handshakes or ‘high fives’.

The move comes after the government eased lockdown restrictions.

The clubhouse, facilities and four indoor courts on Abbeydale Road South, Dore, are still closed, but boss John Gledden says it is great to be back – and thanked a loyal 60 per cent who paid throughout lockdown and saved the business.

He added: “Without their support and generosity, the club wouldn’t be here today.

“When it became apparent that all avenues for financial help were seemingly unavailable, we kept in regular contact with members and were brutally honest and said that although we knew a lot were going to be suffering financially, and fully understood if they couldn’t keep paying their fees, if anybody was in a position to keep their direct debits going, it would enable the club to limp along until better times returned.

“Although we lost 40 per cent of our members and all the coaching businesses stopped, we retained a loyal 60 per cent.

“The restrictions are strange for players to get used to, but obviously necessary and they are just delighted to be back on court - albeit in a different environment.”

But he warned the next 12 months will be tough.

“With losing 40 per cent of members, plus junior group coaching not likely to restart until September at the earliest, the fight for survival starts now.

“But the owners, coaches and staff are all up for that fight and we are planning for their return as soon as the regulations allow.”

Due to its set-up - all 15 staff are self-employed ‘limited companies’ - the club missed out on the government’s furlough scheme and help for the self-employed, as well as hospitality grants because the rateable value is too high.

John and wife Laura also applied for two coronavirus business interruption loans but were turned down by one bank and have been waiting seven weeks for the other.

He added: “If you could write a business plan that was designed to NOT work in a pandemic - we did it!

“We set up the club with what we thought was a good model for offering tennis at affordable prices, but it’s meant we’ve fallen through every possible crack in the funding opportunities so far.

“Although it’s great to be back, the joy is tempered by how tough the next 12 months will be on the road to recovery.

“With most sports still on the banned list, tennis played at a distance of 78 feet apart is a great option and if you fancy trying out a new sport in a safe environment give us a call.”

Call 0114 236 1938 or email [email protected]

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