Increase in Subscriptions

Dear Member,

Many of you have been in contact with us about the renewal arrangements for your membership of the Squash Club for the year from 1st August 2020.

You will have received the email from the Schools dated 29th July giving information about the restricted availability of the squash club facilities from the 17th August. This email also made reference to the renewal of membership for the year 1st August 2020 to 31st July 2021 - but not of the new subscription rates.

The Committee would like to make it clear that it had no knowledge of the imposition by the Schools of an 11% rise in squash membership to £200 for an adult and a 13% rise in couple membership to £340 – to be charged at the full rate from 1st August despite that fact that there was no entry to the facilities for the first 17 days of August and very limited access to the facilities from 17th August.

The Committee are disappointed that the Schools have taken this action without any explanation or communication and have urged them to reconsider and offer some mitigation on subscription rates to members while the facilities offered on offer are so restricted.

Members must make their own decision about whether they wish to renew now, or at a later date when more facilities are on offer and proper squash can be played. Members also have the option to ask the schools for a refund of the proportion of last years subscription that relates to the lockdown of the squash club (£78.48 for adult squash membership, for instance) – as confirmed by the Schools in their email to members of the 6th July.

However, it would be helpful if members who have contacted us and those members who also feel that a full year’s subscription being charged now, is inappropriate, email the Sports Facilities Manager (ejmoore@shrewsbury.org.uk) to raise their concern. Members may wish to make reference to the significantly reduced availability of a normal offering i.e.

· The highest ever annual increase in squash adult subscriptions at 11% and 13%

· Reduced court playing time (40 minutes)

· Reduced number of courts available (3 not 4 courts)

· Reduced court availability (last court is 7.15pm)

· Reduced periods of availability (No availability for period, 1st August to 18th August; and, less availability at weekends)

· No changing facilities

· No showering

· No access to social areas

· No access to bar

· No ability to play a normal game of squash (only a restricted practice knock)

· No ability to play internal leagues

· No ability to play inter club league matches

All making the imposition of a full £200/£340 annual subscription inappropriate at this time.

It would also help if members request that now and in future, such decisions are discussed with the Committee, as your representatives, prior to being implemented by the Schools.

We will of course be speaking to the Schools about this to endeavour to bring about a better solution, but any extra support that members can indicate would be helpful.

Kind Regards

The Squash Committee