Hackney Council is seeking a new partner to manage and develop its tennis facilities across the borough, including Joe White Gardens, Hackney Downs, London Fields, Millfields, Spring Hill Recreation Ground, and Springfield Park. The decision, made by the Officer Executive Decisions on June 1, 2026, will see a new five-year concession contract, with an option for a two-year extension, covering the operation of tennis courts and the Clissold Park Tennis Pavilion.
The tender process aims to secure a provider capable of maximising participation and income while maintaining high service standards. The contract is estimated to be worth £6,720,000 over its potential seven-year duration. This figure is based on the current supplier's total annual turnover of £800,000 (excluding VAT) or £960,000 (including VAT). The chosen model will see the appointed provider retain income from services and pay a concession fee to the Council, transferring financial risk to the operator. The procurement is expected to generate an annual concession fee to the Council of approximately £70,000.
This move aligns with Hackney Council's strategic goals, including fostering a borough with healthy, active, and independent residents, as outlined in the Community Strategy 2018-28 and the Hackney Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-2026.
The council considered and rejected several alternatives. Continuing with the current operation without competition was rejected as it would limit the Council's ability to test the market and drive innovation. Bringing the service in-house was rejected due to a perceived lack of specialist expertise within the Council, potential for higher costs, and increased operational and delivery risks. Tendering in separate lots was deemed inefficient as the services are operationally interdependent. Closing the service entirely was also rejected.
The new contract aims to promote and develop tennis across several sites in Hackney and includes opportunities for environmental benefits through sustainable operations and social value benefits by supporting local employment and skills development. The appointed partner will be responsible for the delivery of a Tennis Development Plan for the Borough.
The current contract with Hackney Tennis has seen sustained growth, with annual bookings rising and high public engagement. A 2021 survey indicated that 85.1% of respondents were satisfied with the service and 90.4% considered it good value for money.
The contract will include a suite of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) covering service delivery, participation levels, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and the delivery of the Tennis Development Plan. In addition, KPIs will include measures relating to equalities, health and safety, sustainability, and social value commitments. Performance will be assessed through regular monitoring, including comparison against agreed targets, historical performance data, and relevant external benchmarks.
The Partner's Pricing Policy must promote the principles of equality of access and sustainability while meeting the agreed participation targets and performance standards. Usage and attendance by all sections of the wider and local community are being encouraged through the Partner's Pricing Policy to support delivery of the Council's strategic outcomes. The contract will also require appropriate workforce policies, including whistleblowing arrangements, fair working practices, and prompt payment throughout the supply chain. The successful provider will be expected to demonstrate how they will support a diverse and inclusive workforce and ensure ethical delivery of the service. The contract will deliver social value through increased access to sport, improved health and wellbeing, and targeted engagement with under-represented groups. The service will focus on increasing participation across all sections of the community, including children and young people, older people, disabled users, and minority groups. The operator will be required to deliver inclusive programming, affordable introductory opportunities, and targeted outreach activities, alongside wider benefits such as volunteering, coaching development, and community engagement. These outcomes will be monitored through contract management and performance reporting arrangements.
The procurement process is being managed by officers within the Leisure, Parks and Green Spaces service, with support from Procurement, Legal, and Finance teams. Key milestones include publishing the tender notice in May 2026, with tender returns in June 2026, and the contract expected to commence in October 2026. This decision was formally documented in the Public reports pack Monday 01 Jun 2026 09.00 Officer Executive Decisions.