We visit the last free tennis courts in Bristol where locals may soon have to pay to play

For the past 50 years, the tennis courts at Redcatch Park in Knowle have been free to use but that could all change if Bristol City Council brings in a ‘pay to play’ system.

The council has started a consultation on a proposed change to how it operates, maintain and pays for the tennis courts in Redcatch Park. The four tennis courts are currently free to use and people just turn up and play, with no way of booking the courts. But the council now says it can’t afford to maintain Redcatch Park tennis courts in the way it has for as long as anybody using them can remember.

The council says that to provide a ‘long-term sustainable plan’ for tennis at Redcatch Park, it wants to group the courts along with those at Eastville Park, St George Park and Canford Park under a operating model where it costs £5 to ‘pay and play’ per hour (for up to four people), with an annual household membership costing £35 for access to courts for anybody in the same household.

But the people using the last free park tennis courts in Bristol aren’t convinced the ‘pay to play’ model is what’s needed at Redcatch Park, which serves people from all over Knowle.

Merle Patchett plays tennis with her young son at the tennis courts twice a week. Her son currently has lessons at nearby Knowle Tennis Club but they head to the park at weekends for some free practice.

Merle says that if the council brings in a ‘pay to play’ model at Redcatch Park, it’s unlikely to put her off using them but she is still worried that it might put off others. She says: “It probably won’t put us off because you can get a family pass for £35 a year and that’s quite affordable and it would be good if it meant the courts are well maintained.

“We play all year round and sometimes in the winter and leaves from the overhanging trees get on the court so it can get slippery. But it’s a shame because it’s the last free tennis court in Bristol and it’s a great resource. I think it will put off younger kids coming in and playing which is a shame because you see a lot of teenagers coming in with friends and I imagine that might put them off.”

Although Merle doesn’t mind the advance booking system of ‘pay to play’, she can see the downside. She says: “It’s quite nice not to have to book in advance and just decide on the day - it’s nice to have the flexibility of having a free space.

“There are four courts here and on weekends you might have to wait a few minutes for a game but I would say they are actually underused more than anything.”

Knowle resident Tieran was playing tennis with his friend on the hot and sunny afternoon Bristol World visited the tennis courts. He plays at Redcatch Park at least once a week but says the fact it’s free is the main reason. He says: “I was considering joining a tennis club but it’s quite expensive, about £250 a year I think, but introducing £5 an hour to play here would also put me off.

“The council put up a poster about the consultation for people to have a say but I don’t think it will make too much difference to be honest. A lot of people around here can’t afford £5 an hour, which is a shame as loads of kids use these courts. But then I’m not too surprised because everything is going up in price isn’t it?”

Under the proposed model, sports charity Wesport would be responsible for the management and operation of the courts, and all repairs and maintenance costs.

The council says there would also be an ‘accessible and inclusive’ tennis programme which, in addition to public bookings, would include tennis coaching opportunities, competitively-priced coaching for children, community tennis initiatives and opportunities for free play.

The council is now asking people for their views on this proposal in an online consultation that ends on July 18.