A TENNIS club is hoping its courts will get more use after signs were finally put in place to let people know they are there.

Alexandra Courts has for years been situated in Summertown, off Middle Way, but without any signs to point out its public tennis facilities.

Oxford City Council estimates they attract about 2,000 people each summer – but now members of Norham Gardens Lawn Tennis Club are hoping for even more.

Signs have been put up in Banbury Road, in South Parade and outside the gates of the grounds, at a total cost of about £1,600.

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Club treasurer Virginia Tite said it was surprising that no signs at all had previously been on display – even in the car park.

She said: “It is something that we have been requesting for years.

“Previously there was no indication whatsoever that the courts were here, so what we have now is real progress.

“We hope people will start flocking to the courts to come and play more tennis.”

Alexandra Courts is owned by the city council and leased by Norham Gardens Lawn Tennis Club. It has six hard courts and 14 grass courts and is open from noon to 8.30pm on weekends and school holidays. During term-time it is open from 2pm to 8.30pm.

The club has a lease agreement with the council, which means court space is guaranteed on match days and members get free use.

About half of the courts’ usage is thought to be by club members, the council has said, but it now hopes the signs will raise the facility’s profile and bring in more players.

Summertown city councillor Jean Fooks, who contributed £760 to the signs from her ward budget, said: “I’m very pleased that at last we have signs to tell people there are public tennis courts in Alexandra Park.”

City councillor Andrew Gant, who also represents Summertown, added: “Up until now the courts have been hidden away, but we want more people to use them.”


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