The new owners of The Tennis Court have missed a trick not reopening this pub on the outer edge of Kingswood in time for the start of the Wimbledon fortnight. Instead, it is due to reopen next Friday, July 6, the day of the men’s semi-final in SW19, with live entertainment from Ruby Le Roux due to Cliff Richard being unavailable.

Having cycled all of the way to Kingswood last week and getting a soaking of the kind often experienced at Wimbledon, it was disappointing to find the pub shut. But at least it is due to open soon, unlike many empty pubs past on the way such as the Lord Rodney and the Highwayman.

A report in the current edition of Bristol CAMRA members magazine Pints West said that the two-roomed pub reopened at the beginning of April 2011, run by Keith Hewett and Rick Lyle from the Milk Street Brewery in Frome, who also run the Chelsea in Easton and the Red Lion in Whitehall.

Its new owners are unknown, but a sign above the front door promises a newly refurbished “family and community pub”. As tennis currently fills the public consciousness, the Tennis Court will make a welcome return, not before time.

The Tennis Court, Deanery Road Kingswood, Bristol, BS15 9JA