Securing our future

Aim

Securing our future ... We're nearly there but need your help to fund the repair of our courts and to finish our gardens.

Our Journey

The Tennis Cafe is a not-for-profit community facility that's open to everyone. We love people, fitness and tennis. Gemma and Francis Mackie founded the club in 2010 when they took over a derelict facility from the Council.

Since then we've managed to do a lot ... a new cafe, courts, floodlights and an indoor studio. We always wanted to create a special community place, it's been really hard work but so worth it when we see everyone enjoying the facilities.

It's been tough

The last 2 years have been hard for everyone and especially hospitality and leisure. The three national lockdowns and all the restrictions hurt us badly and depleted all our reserves. However, thanks to all our amazing supporters, we have got through it. It became clear, last year, that to secure the future of our little place we need to keep developing and adapting. Standing still is a recipe for disaster. As such, we have embarked on an ambitious scheme of improvements. Already completed are the extended covered verandah, play equipment and the new patio and pathways. We still need to repair and re-surface two of our tennis courts and plant up the new garden. The unexpected terminal breakdown of our floodlights (approx £20k to replace) has now left us short and we really need your help.

Our garden

The new gardens to the side of the cafe are going to be beautiful and now the structure is in place we just need the plants. But, it's not going to be cheap, approx 100 square metres at £40/m is £4000! We need your help and support.

Our courts

Tennis courts don't last for ever and ours are now overdue re-surfacing. The drainage is now shot and the surface is degrading. If we miss the opportunity to refurbish them now there will be additional costs further down the line. We are planning to upgrade the courts to an artificial clay surface. This is a cutting edge product that looks and plays like Rafa's favourite courts. Clay is an amazing surface to develop and nurture young players, as well as being gentle on the joints for older players. The new surface will put the club in a really strong position to attract new players and further develop talent. We strongly believe that it will help us to fully recover and move on from the last couple of years.

The project is going to cost £40k and, in spite of Covid, we have managed to set aside half the amount. That leaves a shortfall of £20k to meet through fundraising. Any support, however small would be really appreciated.

Raising funds

We are asking our friends and family, our cafe visitors, our tennis players and the local community to support us. By pledging to donate or signing up to one of our rewards, you will be helping to make the projects a reality. 

There is a possibility that Sport England may match funds raised if there are lots of donations and we reach 50% of our target. This would be unbelievably helpful so please please please support us. Thank you.

This project successfully funded on 19th April 2022