LTA ready to sell Queen's Club

The Lawn Tennis Association confirmed yesterday that its Queen's Club headquarters is on the market and requested expressions of interest by 4 November.

Having resolved the Club's post-Second World War financial crisis in 1953 by buying the grounds, the LTA plans to move to move to a new national tennis centre in Roehampton in 2007.

The sale of Queen's is on the basis that it will retain a rackets club and that the pre-Wimbledon Stella Artois Championships remain unaffected.

"Moving to our new National Tennis Centre is an integral part of our plans for finding and developing future British tennis champions," said John Crowther, the LTA's chief executive.

"We want to ensure that Queen's Club continues in its role as one of the most prestigious clubs in the country and to host the Stella Artois event each June."

The proceeds of the sale will be reinvested in the development of British tennis. Ever since the sale was first mooted, the Club's members have discussed the possibility of putting in a bid.

Down the years, 25 different sporting activities have taken place at Queen's, including football, rugby, baseball and athletics.