Duffield Rackets and Fitness
23 Town Street • Duffield, Derby • DE56 4EH
Tel: 01332 841702
Hi [[firstname]]
A follow up from the two open sessions regarding development options.
The council would like to thank all who managed to make the two open sessions last week where we outlined options for the potential redevelopment of the club, indicated potential funding routes and provided information on incorporation.
The feedback at each session and over the last few days at the club has been that the sessions were open, robust and hugely beneficial for all who managed to attend. Your challenges, feedback and general support is vital for the membership to, hopefully, take what will be the most significant next step in 30+ years of what was once two separate clubs but now our combined club’s existence.
There have been a few emails coming in asking various questions. If we can, we will answer them all, but to help stem the flood, (no pun intended) this note is a summary of what came from the sessions about the next steps.
Firstly, as promised, the presentation has been added to the website and the Q&As will be posted over the weekend for all to read. Please access the site and have a read, particularly those of you who were not able to attend a session. https://www.duffieldtennisclub.co.uk/open-sessions-dec-25
There was much made at both sessions about Padel, and it is clear from the membership we need to answer questions. Our issue is twofold: can we obtain planning permission to put up two courts and if we could, how would we fund them? As Oliver commented, Amber Valley Council will not give informal planning advice and we had been told, informally via another credible route, that permission was not likely to be granted. However, we have listened to the concerns expressed and have now decided to formally apply for planning permission in order to answer this question definitively. If planning permission is denied, it’s something we will have to live with. If it is approved, we intend to do something about it. We already are aware of options on funding, but without planning permission, it’s a futile exercise, so first things first. We hope to apply by the end of January. We are then in the hands of the planning department.
There was much made about the Fitness options and there is a misconception that needs clearing up and which we will again reiterate in the coming weeks and months. We are not looking to set up a standalone gym facility for Duffield in competition with other commercial gyms in the region. We will be offering an integrated rackets and fitness facility which will be distinct from existing commercial gyms and small boutique studios. The cross-promotion between squash / tennis and gym membership will create a unique offering and we will retain the objectives and values defined by the founder of the gym, John White 30+ years ago, in that it will continue to be, amongst other things, a development and conditioning facility for those who play racket sports. In doing so we will enable improved player capabilities and, hopefully, reduce injuries. The gym and fitness studio will also provide substantially better facilities for the ever-growing demand for the other activities we now offer, e.g. pilates, yoga, personal training sessions etc.
Very early in the New Year the council will be issuing the membership with a more detailed plan as to how this new facility will increase membership and the financial benefit we expect to reap.
Our financial position and cash generation is very well managed. However, if we are to make this investment, it needs to add something more to the club than just a nice facility. We want to add new members and fully expect to do so, and we will show how this is expected to be done. It does, however, require the club to change its status to become an incorporated club.
For a club of our size there are no downsides to doing this, just upsides. It removes the financial liability currently on each member, as an unincorporated entity, and without incorporation funding any redevelopment would not be possible. Again, when a vote is needed on this, at an EGM early next year, the council will issue to all members a short document as to why incorporation is needed. We will also issue a set of Articles of Association of the new entity that will replace our current constitution as required for a Limited company. These have been drawn up by the clubs’ lawyers, currently being added to by the council and some trusted members who are experienced in these matters and will be issued well in advance to all members to read and question prior to the council seeking approval to proceed. These articles are the raison d’etre of the council and also reinforce how the council acts in terms of its corporate governance.
Rightly, there was much comment around how we fund the development, whichever option the membership choose to pursue. This is a work in progress as we speak, and we are looking at various possibilities. Again, well before a vote by members on the final route they would like to take, the council will bring financial plans, timescales to implement each option and how we would look to fund either of them well before you are asked to cast your votes.
We appreciate the length of this communication update. However, as previously said, in being guided by your request for the council to give the membership a vision for the development of our club for the next 10+ years, we cannot be tied to sound bites.
We will be sending out more communications over the next 4 – 6 weeks as work streams take hold so that you have as much clear information as possible to make informed decisions each step of the way. We look for your continued support as we progress in these exciting stages.
If there are further questions, please contact any of the council members. We will be updating you all again in the very near future on further progress and next steps.
The Council of Duffield Rackets and Fitness.
19/12/2025
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