Post-war the Lamberts’ business plan was to maintain the building and outside courts but sub-let the properties to lawn tennis and badminton clubs. Arrangements were made privately before the Town Moor and Parks Committee were asked to ratify the agreements. They did so but forbade the sale of food and drink or the holding of banquets or dances in the building.
By the early sixties the North Jesmond Lawn Tennis Club was having difficulty paying its way. It requested a reduction in rent, offering to give up one of its grass courts. The council were clearly keen to take these over to use for extra space for its nurseries which had grown greatly since the war. Lawn tennis on the outdoor courts ended at the close of the summer of 1963.
The real tennis court continued to be used for Badminton. A new phase in the building’s history began on Sunday 10th May 1981 at 2pm when the court was re-opened for real tennis play by Mrs Y. Cochrane.
