Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club in Croydon saved from sale after a community campaign raised £25,000, forcing the council to halt plans to sell the land.
When the council announced plans to sell its lease as part of debt reduction efforts, the Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club, which has operated for more than 135 years, threatened closure.
The club has now achieved its goal after months of fundraising and is getting ready to sign a 999-year lease, ensuring its survival for future generations.
Local MP Steve Reed, who backed the campaign, said:
“I’m delighted that Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club has been saved by the community. It’s a historic asset and I was proud to support the fight to keep it in local hands.”
The club, which dates back to the 1890s, attracts members from all across south London and is the only establishment of its sort in Norbury. In addition to tennis, it hosts community gatherings, provides yoga lessons, and has a well-liked daycare center.
When Croydon Council announced plans to sell the land in November 2023 to relieve its financial responsibilities, the 1889-founded club risked closure. But because the community understood the club’s significance as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), they came together to support it.
In order to obtain a 999-year lease, the club started a fundraising effort with the goal of obtaining £90,000. Members planned contests, croquet taster sessions, and baking sales, among other activities.
The club is more than just a place to play sports for a lot of its members. Khamsay Phommavongsa, 76, has been a member for about 30 years. He found it while looking for courts in the area.
He said:
“I came here by accident, but I met the people and they were so friendly I never left. This place is like a family. That’s why we had to fight to keep it.”
Anne-Marie Bowden has been a member of the club for forty-five years. According to her, it has grown to be an essential component of the neighborhood.
She said:
“I’m still playing tennis at 76. When I had young children, I coached mini tennis here. We had queues of families on Friday nights. It became a real hub.”
When the council decided to sell, the club was able to bid for the lease because it was designated an Asset of Community Value in 2023. To raise the funds, members organized a number of events and started a crowdfunding campaign.
Support from the club’s reserves and a loan from Surrey Tennis helped the effort succeed.
A statement from the club read:
“We did it! Thanks to an incredible fundraising campaign, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve successfully raised the funds needed to complete the purchase of our land from Croydon Council.
We’re deeply grateful to all our friends in the Norbury community who donated, supported us, and attended our events. Your generosity and commitment have been truly overwhelming.
We are so excited that the future of our beloved tennis club is now secure – THANK YOU!”
How did the community manage to raise the funds needed to save the club?
To involve the neighborhood and raise money, members planned tournaments, bake sales, and croquet tasting sessions.
These gatherings promoted a sense of unity among fans and helped bring attention to the club’s predicament.
A GoFundMe page was created, and by early 2025, it had raised 73% of its £25,000 goal. People from beyond the local community were able to contribute to the campaign because to this site.
By making direct donations to the club and taking part in activities, locals enthusiastically supported the fundraising efforts.
The commercial promoted broad participation by highlighting the club’s value as a community asset.
In order to secure its survival, the council worked with the club to obtain a long-term lease. This collaboration was essential to enhancing the fundraising activities.