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| One of world's oldest tennis clubs fears closure | One of world's oldest tennis clubs fears closure |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club is 136 years old | Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club is 136 years old |
| One of the world's oldest tennis clubs fears it may be forced to close its doors permanently if it cannot raise £90,000 to secure a new lease. | |
| In November 2023, Croydon Council, external announced that it wanted to sell off Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club in Norbury so it could reduce its borrowing and debt. | In November 2023, Croydon Council, external announced that it wanted to sell off Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club in Norbury so it could reduce its borrowing and debt. |
| The club, established in 1889, is listed as an Asset of Community Value so will have first refusal to buy the lease if it can raise the funds needed. | The club, established in 1889, is listed as an Asset of Community Value so will have first refusal to buy the lease if it can raise the funds needed. |
| Croydon Council has said it is working with the club "to grant them a long-term [999 years] lease, which will provide them with greater security". | Croydon Council has said it is working with the club "to grant them a long-term [999 years] lease, which will provide them with greater security". |
| The club is listed as an Asset of Community Value | The club is listed as an Asset of Community Value |
| Chairman Blaise Westmaas said: "Families come here, it's rented out for people to use, there's a nursery that uses the facilities. | Chairman Blaise Westmaas said: "Families come here, it's rented out for people to use, there's a nursery that uses the facilities. |
| "It's a community asset and we work hard to maintain that aspect of the club. | "It's a community asset and we work hard to maintain that aspect of the club. |
| "That's why it's so important, not just for the members, but for the whole community." | "That's why it's so important, not just for the members, but for the whole community." |
| Member Charmaine Boyd added: "I love the fact that people are so friendly, so welcoming. I love also the competitive nature of the club." | Member Charmaine Boyd added: "I love the fact that people are so friendly, so welcoming. I love also the competitive nature of the club." |
| Members Khamsay Phommavongsa (l) and Charmaine Boyd are worried | Members Khamsay Phommavongsa (l) and Charmaine Boyd are worried |
| Khamsay Phommavongsa, a member for more than 30 years, said: "I love the club, it's like a family." | Khamsay Phommavongsa, a member for more than 30 years, said: "I love the club, it's like a family." |
| Croydon Council said: "We are not selling the Norbury Tennis Club site. | Croydon Council said: "We are not selling the Norbury Tennis Club site. |
| "We signed a heads of terms agreement with them in October 2024, and we are currently in negotiations to finalise the lease. | "We signed a heads of terms agreement with them in October 2024, and we are currently in negotiations to finalise the lease. |
| "We will continue to work with the club throughout the process to avoid any unnecessary concern." | "We will continue to work with the club throughout the process to avoid any unnecessary concern." |
| The council added that it had "started an asset disposals programme in 2023 in direct response to central government requirements, to sell non-operational assets to reduce borrowing and debt". | The council added that it had "started an asset disposals programme in 2023 in direct response to central government requirements, to sell non-operational assets to reduce borrowing and debt". |
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