Tennis fever took over Exchange Flags as Liverpool’s new Lord Mayor, Councillor Tony Concepcion, teamed up with the Liverpool BID Company and Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament to host a lunchtime tennis competition for BID members in the city’s business community. Players of all levels and abilities were invited to take part in the tennis event, which is taking place in the heart of the city’s commercial business improvement district from 28-29th May.
The lunchtime tennis initiative forms part of the BID Company’s sponsorship deal with Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament, set to take place at Liverpool Cricket Club in Aigburth from June 18-21.
Bill Addy, Chief Executive of BID, which was established in 2005 to maintain Liverpool city centre’s position as a retail destination of choice and promote Liverpool as a premier European city, said: “Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament is a key driver for the summer visitor economy and we are proud to be supporting the event this year.
“As part of our sponsorship deal, we wanted to create the spirit of tennis and all of its excitement in the city’s business district, which is why we decided to set up this lunchtime tennis initiative to get employees out of the office and get active. It’s been a real hit with the business community, in fact it’s become very competitive at times, as we rewarded businesses with free tickets for the tournament.”
Liverpool Lord Mayor, Councillor Tony Concepcion, was delighted to take part in the tennis match as his first official engagement. He said: “It was a fantastic atmosphere down at Exchange Flags and it really was great to see so many members of the local business community taking part.”
Anders Borg, Director of Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament, said: “A major part of the tournament is to encourage more people in the region to play tennis, which is why taking tennis out into the community is so important. We saw some excellent tennis today at Exchange Flags and we also have a whole programme of free tennis events, which are open to all, taking place across the city during the build up to the main event, which takes place from 18th-21st June.”
As part of Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament, there is also a ‘festival of tennis’ taking place at Chavasse Park until 5th June, free mini-tennis at Liverpool John Lennon Airport from 8th – 9th June, free mini-tennis at Central Station from 12th – 13th June and free children’s tennis coaching at Liverpool Cricket Club on 17th June.
Liverpool Hope University International Tennis Tournament will see the British number two Aljaz Bedene bring his talents to Merseyside. Spectators at this year’s event will also have the chance to see tennis stars, such as Mansour Bahrami, Barry Cowan, Michael Jeremy Bates, Anders Jarryd, Peter McNamara, Ana Bogdan and Damir Dzumhur on centre court.
For more information on the event, ticket prices and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www.liverpooltennis.co.uk or call 07950 260 165.
