Refurbishment of 22 Tennis Courts Over 6 Sites
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
The real focus isn't just new surfaces
When you consider the refurbishment of tennis courts, it's easy to think just about the physical work.
Resurfacing.
Fencing.
But Spelthorne Borough Council is looking for much more.
They're looking for courts that will serve the community reliably and attractively for years to come.
This contract covers the refurbishment of 22 courts spread over six sites, with a total value of £190,000. It's a short project, just over two months, but the impact will last much longer.
Think about community impact
These tennis courts are in parks and open spaces.
Places where the community gathers.
The Council isn't just refurbishing facilities. They're investing in community assets.
Assets that need to be safe, welcoming, and durable.
If I were evaluating bids, I'd want to see how a contractor plans to enhance these spaces to encourage community engagement.
Don't just promise quick work. Prove it.
The contract duration is tight — just 2 months and 10 days.
Many will claim they can meet this timeline.
Few will back it up convincingly.
Evidence always beats promises.
- Previous projects completed within similar timescales
- Testimonials from past clients on meeting deadlines
- Detailed project plans showing how you'll manage time effectively
That's what I'd be looking for.
Pay attention to what they mention twice
The notice highlights the refurbishment of the courts and the replacement of surrounding fencing.
This isn't just about the courts themselves.
The fencing is equally crucial.
It needs to withstand weather, ensure safety and look good.
If I were writing this tender, I'd make sure my submission gave equal weight to both elements.
Remember who you're trying to convince
You’re not just convincing the procurement team.
You’re convincing the parks and community officers who oversee these spaces.
They'll care deeply about:
- Minimising disruption to park users
- How the refurbished courts will look and feel
- Long-term maintenance requirements
Address these points clearly in your response.
Show how you'll keep standards high throughout
Consistency is key.
Refurbishing 22 courts across six sites means maintaining high standards everywhere.
I'd want to see exactly what happens when someone calls in sick.
How do you ensure each court gets the same level of attention?
Talk about your approach to inspections, quality checks, and how you handle staffing challenges.
One thing I'd keep reminding myself
At the heart of this project are the people who will use these courts.
Families, school children, local tennis clubs.
Every decision should be tested against one question:
Does this make the courts more accessible, enjoyable, and safe for them?
That's the lens I'd use for every part of my submission.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Focus only on the technical aspects without considering community impact
- Overlook the importance of fencing replacement
- Fail to provide concrete evidence of meeting past project timelines
- Neglect the human element in refurbishing community spaces
- Assume price alone will win the contract — quality is 40% of the weighting
- Ignore how you'll maintain high standards across multiple sites
My Final Thoughts
Spelthorne Borough Council is looking for more than just a contractor.
They want a partner who understands the significance of these courts to the community.
With a contract value of £190,000 and a quality weighting of 40%, your written submission matters.
It's not just about being the lowest bidder.
It's about showing you can deliver quality and reliability.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
Ready to decide whether this contract is worth bidding?
View the opportunity on Bid Trawler and access everything you need to make an informed decision, including the full tender information, direct access to the tender documents, the current supplier, who's winning similar contracts, who else may be bidding, buyer intelligence, our exclusive Inside View, your personalised Winnability Score and an AI-powered contract review.
View the Full Contract & Exclusive Inside View on Bid Trawler →About our "How to Win This Contract" guides
Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.