Urgent Restoration Work Begins on Historic Bramcote Tennis Pavilion in Scarborough

Urgent repair work has now begun on the historic Bramcote Tennis Pavilion in Scarborough, following intervention from the Victorian Society and strong backing from the local community.

The pavilion, which dates back to around 1885, was named one of the Victorian Society's Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings in England and Wales in 2024.

The pavilion holds significant historical importance for Scarborough, which became an epicentre for early lawn tennis, earning the moniker "the Wimbledon of its day" and hosting both national and international tournaments. It is considered a rare surviving piece of international tennis history, commissioned for the North of England Lawn Tennis Club from local architect John Hall.

Described as an Arts and Crafts veranda-style bungalow, it is among the earliest structures globally for the modern sport, dating to its inception in the 1860s-1870s. Notably, the building included changing rooms for both sexes, highlighting that women played the game early in its history.

The drive for repairs intensified after severe storms earlier this year left the building in a critical state of disrepair, with concerns it would not withstand further adverse weather. Local residents and Scarborough Councillor Rich Maw raised their voices in concern this past winter regarding the storm damage. In response, the Victorian Society sent requests to North Yorkshire Council, local councillors, and MPs in February 2025, pressing for action a year after its initial endangered listing.

Thomas Ollivier, Northern Conservation Adviser for the Victorian Society, explained that the situation reached a "real biting point" where it was feared the building would be lost.

"We got involved first back in 2024, and it was named one of our top 10 most endangered buildings in England and Wales

 We sent a request off to the local council, local councillors, MP's saying, it's been a year now since we've declared this as a top 10 endangered building, It's still in quite state of disrepair.

Obviously we had all those huge storms early this year. And that's when it came to real biting point that we were going to lose this building, It wasn't going to withstand another one.

So we sent a request off to the council who undertook a site visit who all then agreed, that urgent work had to be done. And those works are now beginning."

Following an enforcement visit by the Council in the Spring, a course of action was agreed with Scarborough College, the owner, and the lessee of the land. This plan encompasses immediate pressing repairs and a comprehensive strategy for the long-term restoration of the structure.

Mr. Ollivier expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating,

"The Victorian Society and the local community are very pleased to see that Bramcote Tennis Pavilion is now being looked after the way it has long needed. This Grade II building, recognised for its national significance and special interest, is undeniably a jewel of Scarborough's history and important in its role in the formation of lawn tennis".

While work is now commencing, challenges remain. Mr. Ollivier noted that with historic buildings, "you pull something off and you find other problems underneath".

"Bramcote Tennis Pavilion dates back to about 1885.

This tennis pavilion was built back in the time when lawn tennis is still exceedingly new, this game still being developed, it's not quite what we'd recognise today.

But Scarborough became an epicentre for this early game. It was the Wimbledon of its day. It hosted national and international tournaments 

Inevitably with historic buildings, you pull something off and, you find other problems underneath , but actions being taken.

We hope that'll be quite swift. The bigger problem at the moment is the tree that's directly in front of it is, threatening this building quite heavily. So I believe parts of that may be coming off to try to buy some time. "

The Victorian Society says it's "Top Ten Endangered Buildings" campaign serves to highlight neglected buildings across England and Wales that require intervention, using media coverage to bring attention to structures that might otherwise be forgotten and left to decay.

The Society encourages the public to participate in this effort, with nominations for their 2026 list set to open again. Mr. Ollivier emphasized the importance of public vigilance, 

"I think the big message and the one we always try at the Victorian Society is look around you, keep, this is your history is everywhere. Buildings are everywhere. Without people looking up and realizing that, oh, that tile slipped, or that looks a bit sad, or, things like that. Things fall under the radar really easily and these buildings need help. They need to be looked after to be maintained and kept for the next generation.

Our top 10 most danger buildings will be opening up again for 2026. If you walk past something on your day to day and think that could use a bit of help, flag it up to us, let us know."