Anyone for tennis on Millennium Square this summer?

Tennis fans are in for a smashing time as Millennium Square serves up something special for Wimbledon this summer.

For the first time ever, the square is hosting a dedicated free seating area where spectators can watch the drama unfold on the big screen thanks to a partnership between Leeds City Council and local ice cream firm Northern Bloc.

Complete with deck chairs, artificial grass and picnic blankets, viewers can cheer on Andy Murray while enjoying the traditional strawberries and cream, ice cream and Pimms which will all be available to purchase.

Full Wimbledon coverage will be shown on the Leeds big screen every day up to and including the men’s final on Sunday, July 12 which will follow the end of the Leeds 10K.

Councillor Stuart McKenna, Leeds City Council’s lead member for sport and active lifestyles, said:

“Wimbledon is one of the nation’s favourite sporting events and the big screen on Millennium Square is the perfect place for people in Leeds to enjoy all the action.

“The square is always a popular place for people to watch sport outdoors, especially in the sunshine.

“We also usually see a rise in the number of people taking up sport during big events like Wimbledon, and tennis is a great way to stay fit and active over the summer so I hope as well as enjoying spectating, people are also inspired to get involved in some sport or physical activity.”

Josh Lee and Dirk Mischendahl, directors at Northern Bloc, added:

“We’re really pleased to be working with Leeds City Council, they are always innovating new ways to promote entertainment and sport across the city and what better way to cheer on Andy Murray than at Leeds's very own Murray Mount.”

As well as the tennis, Millennium Square’s big screen will also be showing a performance of Don Giovanni live from The Royal Opera House on July 3 from 7pm.

Other events over the summer on Millennium Square include a series of outdoor concerts between July 17 - 31 from artists including Union J, Bjorn Again, Alfie Boe and Texas and the popular annual City Beach event from August 8 – 31.

For more information about playing tennis in Leeds, visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/sports/Pages/Tennis-at-JCCS.aspx or http://tennis-in-leeds.co.uk

For more information about the summer series of events on Millennium Square, visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Events/Pages/millennium-square-summer-series.aspx

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk