Hackney Council is launching a tender process to find a private operator to manage its tennis facilities, aiming to secure best value for money and maximise income from these public assets.

The decision, made at an Officer Executive Decisions meeting on June 1, 2026, will see a new concession contract awarded for the management and operation of tennis courts across the borough. These include facilities at Clissold Park Tennis Pavilion, Joe White Gardens, Hackney Downs, London Fields, Millfields, Spring Hill Recreation Ground, and Springfield Park.

The contract is set to run for an initial five-year period, with an option to extend for a further two years. The estimated value of the contract over its potential seven-year duration is £6,720,000. This figure is based on the current supplier's total income, which is estimated at £800,000 (excluding VAT) or £960,000 (including VAT) annually.

The current model, where the operator retains income and pays a concession fee to the council, is considered the most effective way to balance financial return with service quality and risk transfer. The procurement process is expected to generate an annual concession fee to the council, with current contract levels in the region of £70,000 per annum. The new procurement will test the market to secure the best financial return, implying the potential for an increase.

A report presented at the meeting highlighted that the current contract with Hackney Tennis has shown sustained growth, with annual bookings rising and high public engagement. User satisfaction has remained consistently high, with 85.1% of respondents in a 2021 survey expressing satisfaction with the service.

Beyond financial return and service quality, bids will be evaluated on risk transfer and the ability to deliver strategic outcomes. The competitive tender process aims to secure an operator capable of maximising participation and income while maintaining high service standards. The contract will also incorporate measures relating to equalities, health and safety, sustainability, and social value commitments.

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 contract will include a suite of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) covering service delivery, participation levels, customer satisfaction, financial performance, and delivery of the Tennis Development Plan. Additionally, KPIs will include measures relating to equalities, health and safety, sustainability and social value commitments.

The procurement aligns with Hackney Council's strategic framework, supporting objectives to foster a borough with healthy, active, and independent residents and encouraging active lifestyles.

Several options were considered and rejected, including continuing with the current operation without competition, bringing the service in-house due to a perceived lack of specialist expertise within the council, and tendering in separate lots. The closure of the service was also rejected as it would result in the loss of a valued community service.

The new contract will see the appointed provider responsible for the maintenance and utilities for the tennis courts and Clissold Park Pavilion, while the council will retain responsibility for major whole-life costs such as court resurfacing and fence replacement. The council will also continue to be proactive in seeking grant funding from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) to enhance tennis provision.

More details on the decision can be found in the Public reports pack for the Officer Executive Decisions meeting.