The All England Lawn Tennis Club, home to The Championships, Wimbledon, represents the pinnacle of tennis excellence. With Centre Court and Court No. 1 being the crown jewels of the venue, maintaining these iconic courts requires the highest standards of technical expertise and reliability.
The All England Club partnered with NSS, a PTSG Company, to future-proof the roofing on Wimbledon Centre Court and Court No. 1, enhancing durability while preserving their prestigious heritage. Following the 2024 Championships, NSS was selected to undertake critical roof drainage assessments and subsequent upgrade works across these prestigious courts.
Customer challenge
When you’re responsible for maintaining the world’s most famous tennis venue, there’s no room for compromise. The All England Club faced a critical infrastructure challenge that required immediate attention and expert intervention. The existing roof drainage systems at Centre Court and Court No. 1 required comprehensive evaluation to ensure compliance with current British Standards. The challenge was multifaceted:
- Compliance Requirements: Systems needed to meet BS8490:2025 standards for adequate rainfall protection
- Critical Timing: All work had to be scheduled around the tennis calendar to avoid disruption to championship events
- Technical Complexity: The sophisticated roof structures required specialist siphonic drainage expertise
- Quality Standards: Working at such a prestigious venue demanded exceptional workmanship and attention to detail
- Multiple Defects: Various areas around the roof systems showed signs of deterioration requiring immediate attention
Services included;
The Solution
Understanding the unique demands of working at such an iconic venue, NSS developed a meticulous approach that balanced technical excellence with operational sensitivity.
Our team recognised that this wasn't just about upgrading drainage systems – it was about preserving a sporting heritage whilst ensuring future resilience.
We developed a comprehensive three-phase approach to address all aspects of the
project:
Phase 1: Assessment & Reporting (Summer 2024) Following the Championships, NSS conducted extensive surveys including:
- Detailed testing and inspection of existing gutter systems
- Comprehensive assessment of siphonic roof drainage systems
- Identification and documentation of defective areas across both courts
- Professional calculations to determine compliance with current standards
Phase 2: Contract Award & Planning (Christmas 2024) Based on the survey findings, NSS was awarded the contract for:
- Complete gutter refurbishment works
- Siphonic roof drainage system upgrades
- Remedial repairs to Centre Court and Court No. 1
Phase 3: Implementation & Compliance (Spring 2025) The upgrade works included:
- Gutter Refurbishment: Complete renovation of existing gutter systems to restore optimal performance
- Siphonic Drainage Upgrade: Enhancement of systems to meet
BS8490:2025 compliance standards - Remedial Repairs: Targeted fixes to identified defective areas
- Quality Assurance: Rigorous testing to confirm all systems meet required specifications
Project outcomes
The successful completion of this prestigious project delivered significant benefits:
Compliance achievement: NSS surveys and reporting confirmed that both Centre Court and Court No. 1 drainage systems now fully comply with BS8490:2025 standards, providing adequate protection against extreme rainfall events.
Future-proofed protection: The upgraded systems ensure the venue can handle increasingly intense weather patterns while maintaining the pristine conditions expected at Wimbledon.
Minimal disruption: Careful project planning and execution ensured no interference with the tennis calendar or venue operations.
Ongoing maintenance framework: We established annual maintenance procedures to ensure continued compliance and optimal system performance.
Why NSS?
This project exemplified NSS's core capabilities:
- Specialist expertise: As members of the Siphonic Roof Drainage Association, NSS brought deep technical knowledge to this complex project
- National capability: Our in-house team of qualified engineers eliminated reliance on subcontractors
- Quality workmanship: The exceptional standards delivered at Wimbledon demonstrate our commitment to excellence
- Comprehensive service: From initial surveys through to ongoing maintenance, NSS provided a complete solution
Altogether better
NSS is a specialist services provider. From building maintenance to window and technical cleaning, platform hire and equipment testing, we offer a consistent, self-delivered and most importantly safe service, nationwide.
Contact NSS to discuss how our siphonic drainage expertise can protect your building and reputation.
0345 208 0010 (option 1) | info@nssgroup.com | nssgroup.com
