Council apologises for delay as refurbished tennis courts reopen in Lancaster

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 08:42

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Palatine Park tennis courts. Photo credit: Lancaster City Council

Public tennis courts in Lancaster are now open again after complaints that they were still closed after refurbishment.

The gates of the courts in Palatine Park are now unlocked and the re-laid courts can now be used, said Lancaster City Council.

Refurbishment of the courts was completed earlier this summer but the gates had remained locked, causing frustration for local people who wanted a game of tennis - especially during the recent Wimbledon tournament.

On July 21, the council said they were "still in the process of working with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) regarding the gated access and booking system which has taken an unforeseen amount of time".

But, they said: "We have taken the community’s feedback on board and will keep the courts unlocked in the meantime.

"The reason we had not done this previously was due to the risk of damage to the courts, as we have already had incidents involving people climbing over the fence, causing damage to the floor and nets.

"We kindly ask that as a community, if you witness anyone damaging the courts to contact the police, to help us keep the courts in good condition until the gated access is resolved (the booking system will include free tennis sessions).

"Please do not use bicycles on the courts as the tyres cause damage to the surfacing. Dogs are not allowed - we need to keep the area clean & ready for tennis users. We have retained a basketball hoop.

"We apologise for the unexpected delays to the opening of these courts, it's not a situation we envisaged but we hope the much-improved courts can now be used to the fullest in time for the summer holidays!

"If you have any queries, please contact Public Realm at: publicrealm@lancaster.gov.uk"

There had been numerous complaints from residents about lack of access to the refurbished courts.

Becky, posting on the Bowerham local news Facebook page, said earlier this month: "This is very disappointing, courts have been shut for months now (huge chain and padlock on the gate).

"With Wimbledon these last couple of weeks people may have been encouraged to give tennis a try.

"There is nothing around this area for kids to do without areas been fenced off. At least before you could play a game of tennis or basketball, either with friends or family."

Nick, posting on Lancaster Past and Present on July 21, said: "Here we are at the start of the summer holidays, a week after Wimbledon finished, people possibly really want to have a go at playing. The courts are double locked."

Earlier in July, a resident called in to BBC Radio 2 to complain about the issue, speaking to presenter Tina Daheley on The Jeremy Vine Show.

"Since they've been resurfaced in the past two months they've started locking the gates and I've not seen a single person using them," he said.

"It's not good, is it?"

A £79,632 renovation of local tennis courts, to also include Happy Mount Park in Morecambe, was announced by Lancaster City Council and the LTA last year.

The project is part of a nationwide investment delivered by the LTA and supported by the LTA Tennis Foundation, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people.

Work under way on £80,000 revamp of public tennis courts - Beyond Radio