Since 1920, Centre Court Wimbledon Debentures have been sold every five years. It is from this source that The All England Lawn Tennis Ground plc (1), jointly and equally owned by The All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Lawn Tennis Association, derives its funds to meet capital expenditure. Recently, debentures to No. 1 Court have also been offered.
The original Debentures were issued in 1920. During the years immediately
prior to the First World War, the All England Club considerably expanded the facilities at the Worple Road
ground to meet the growing demand of the public, by increasing the capacity of the Centre Court
and purchasing adjacent houses and gardens. Even so, when the tournament resumed after the War,
in 1919, the grounds still could not cope with the greater than ever crowds and, as further
expansion was not possible, the Club sought new premises.
In June 1920, the Club formed the ‘Ground’ Company, primarily
with the objective of acquiring 13½ acres of freehold land at
Wimbledon Park, Surrey (the present site of the Club), and to
develop the grounds for the purpose of staging The Lawn Tennis
Championships and other competitions. To raise the capital required,
the ‘Ground’ Company raised £75,000 by the issue of ‘A’ and
‘B’ Debentures at £50 each. The ‘A’ Debentures carried an interest
rate of 7½% per annum, redeemable on or before August 1947,
and also conferred on the holder the right to purchase one seat
in the Centre Court Stand for each day of The Championship meetings,
up to and including 1947, at the prices current at such meetings.
The ‘B’ Debentures carried no interest but conferred upon the
holder the right, without payment, to one seat in the Centre
Court Stand for a similar period. The Debenture issue was oversubscribed
and increased to £100,000.
Due to the Second World War, the Debentures were extended by six years until the end of the 1953
Championships. In 1948, existing holders were offered the opportunity of extending their rights
until the 1959 Championships with a new issue of 2,100 Debentures at £50 each. Money was required
to effect repairs to the Club’s premises, including bomb damage, none having been carried out for
nine years, and to improve the Centre Court and catering facilities. So the process has continued
and apart from one year only, 1960, Debentures have been issued every five years.
The three issues of 2,100 Debentures for 1986-1990 and 1991-1995
and 1996-2000 realised approximately £11 million, £35 million
and £35 million, respectively. Arising from the extension of
the West side of the Centre Court, an additional 200 debentures,
making a total of 2,300, were offered for 2001-2005. Current
issue covering 2006-2010 and the previous series realised £46
million.
Capital Expenditure
Since the late 1970’s, income from Debentures has funded many major works programmes to provide
greater facilities for the players, spectators, officials and media, such as:
1979 -
Raising of the Centre Court roof and the construction of a new Debenture Holders’ Lounge
on the north side of the Centre Court.
1980 -
Members’ Enclosure made a permanent building.
1981 -
No.1 Court Competitors’ Complex rebuilt.
1985 -
East Side Centre Court Building constructed.
1986 -
New two-storey pavilion in Aorangi Park.
1989 -
Three new covered courts built.
1991 -
Centre Court North Building extended to provide greater accommodation for Debenture Holders
and offices.
The proceeds of the last three issues are being used to help
finance the Long Term Plan for the Club and The Championships.
Further funding for the Plan was provided in April 1996 by
the issue of 1,000 Debentures for the new No. 1 Court, covering
the 1997-2001 Championships. In March 2001 it was announced
that a further series of up to 1,000 Debentures would be issued
covering the 2002-2006 Championships.
Debentures in both these series were offered at £9,900 and
entitle the holder to a reserved seat for the first ten days
of The Championships for each of the relevant five years.
On 31 March 2006, the Company announced a third series of
Debentures for the No.1 Court at a cost per debenture of £12,250.
850 Debentures have been issued covering the 2007-2011 Championships.
For further information please write to:
The Debenture Office
The All England Lawn Tennis Ground plc
Church Road
Wimbledon
London SW19 5AE
Notes: (1)
The status prior to 24 January 1996 was a private limited
company.
