Two new badminton membership offers have today been launched by Be Well, the council’s leisure service, to improve access to the sport for people in Tower Hamlets.
The new ‘Be Well Monthly Badminton Membership’ priced at £49 for eight sessions – offers a per-session cost of £6.13, while the new ‘Be Well 50-Session Badminton Membership’ - priced at £299 - works out to just £5.98 per court session and is valid for a period of 12 months across centres.
With pay and play sessions currently priced at £17.25 for a 60-minute session and £12.80 for a 40-minute session, the new memberships offer flexibility and significant savings for players.
The two new membership offers follow a review of how Be Well’s badminton courts are booked, which highlighted some challenges around access to court hire and transparency under the previous system.
To ensure fairer access for all residents, Be Well has introduced new court hire terms and conditions, including checking the photo ID of players at the start of their session.
Cllr Mohammed Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said: “Badminton is not only a fun and accessible way to stay active – it’s a highly social sport that supports both physical and mental health, and helps build real connections within the community.
“These new memberships reflect Be Well’s commitment to making physical activity more affordable and available, while also ensuring a fairer and more transparent booking process.
“We’ve listened to feedback and introduced improvements to address previous issues around access and use, so that more people across the borough have the chance to get involved and benefit.”
Cllr Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth, and Lifelong Learning, said: “Sports should be something everyone can access easily, no matter their background or income.
“These new badminton membership options are part of a wider effort to remove barriers and create more inclusive, community-focused spaces where people can be active and social together.
“Whether you’re playing for fitness, fun, or friendship, these new memberships offer real value – both in terms of affordability and the sense of belonging they help foster across our borough.”
Rukiyah Khatun, local resident and regular badminton player said: "Badminton has truly changed my life – it’s given me confidence, kept me active, and introduced me to a community of people who inspire and support me.
“What started as a hobby has become a powerful part of my physical and mental wellbeing.
“With the new badminton memberships and more affordable fees, it will become much easier to play regularly and continue my health and wellbeing journey.”
Didarul Alam Mozumder, local resident and Be Well member said: “I play badminton not only for personal enjoyment but also for serious health reasons, following advice to stay physically active.
“The new badminton policy for Tower Hamlets Council’s Be Well centres is excellent news.
“I can book any available sessions per month or year with my membership card at a reasonable price.”
Full terms and conditions, along with details on how to sign up for a membership, can be found on the Be Well website.
Posted on Monday 2nd June 2025