Northampton County Lawn Tennis Club

Growth Hub help to revolutionise tennis club

Northampton County Lawn Tennis Club have been a mainstay in the Northamptonshire community for over 120 years. However, with revenues stalling, they recognised they needed to innovate their offering to grow their membership. They turned to the South Midlands Growth Hub to support their ambition to build Northamptonshire’s first padel tennis court.

£35K

Awarded

RIG

Fund programme

Padel

Tennis Court built

Northampton County Lawn Tennis Club (NCLTC)

Northampton County Lawn Tennis Club (NCLTC) is one of Northamptonshire’s largest and most popular tennis clubs. Home to eight floodlit courts, as well as one floodlit mini court and three grass courts for summer play, NCLTC provide year round play. The club offers social playing opportunities, competitive matches, adult and junior coaching, and social events incorporating the local community with currently over 300 members.

Fuelled by an ambition to grow, and provide new opportunities to their members and the community, NCLTC wanted to build Northamptonshire’s first Padel Tennis court.

Awarded £35,052 to invest in a new Padel court

Learning about the Growth Hub, and its grant opportunities through the business community, NCLTC jumped at the opportunity to seek investment into the project.

Having compiled an impressive application, the NCLTC was awarded £35,052 from the Resilience and Innovation Fund.

Following a three-month build, NCLTC is now home to Northamptonshire’s first Padel Tennis Court.

The impact has been huge on the club.

Resilience & Innovation grant

A capital investment grant scheme for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the South Midlands

Providing support to enterprises wanting to strengthen performance and increase resilience, in response to cost-of-living challenges.

There was a core focus on increasing innovation levels and enhancing sustainability, in support of the transition towards a net zero economy.

“It’s been a massive success!” explained Michael Musson.

“It’s really revitalised the club. We’ve welcomed 90 new members in the first three months alone, particularly in the 21-30 year category (an area we’ve been looking to increase).

“We’ve launched padel-only memberships and pay-as-you-play. We’re already at saturation point as we’re fully booked throughout weeknights and at weekends.

“It’s been so successful, we’re already looking at building two new courts to grow even further!”

“

The business adviser team at the Growth Hub were supportive throughout. Their guidance with the application process, was invaluable to putting is in the best position to be successful.

A positive impact!

The installation of the Padel Tennis court has not only allowed NCLTC to diversify its offering and increase revenues, it’s positively impacting the environment too. Previously, the closest Padel Tennis Courts available were in Market Harborough, meaning a 40-mile round trip for those looking to play.

As a member-owned club, the impact has been positive amongst their existing members too.

“We’ve got players who’ve been members for 40/50 years who’ve also started playing padel. It really is a game for all ages”, said Michael.

“The business adviser team at the Growth Hub were supportive throughout. Their guidance throughout the application process was invaluable to putting us in the best position to be successful.”