Health and racquets club chains Esporta and Next Generation could find themselves in a head to head battle to acquire the prestigious Queen’s Club in West Kensington after the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) put it up for sale for £40m.

Both companies have reportedly announced their interest in the property, with Scott Lloyd, managing director of Next Generation, saying: “We have been monitoring the situation at Queen’s and we are, of course, interested.

“Our roots are very much in tennis and our recent purchase of the Harbour Club shows our appetite for acquisitions.”

David Lloyd Leisure, which also operates a chain of health and racquets clubs, has declined to comment on the sale, although a spokesperson said the company remains focused on organic growth.

The Queen’s Club has been put up for sale because the LTA will be moving its headquarters to its new Roehampton facility in 2007.

Although it owns the freehold of the Queen’s site, the LTA is to sell it by way of a 120-year lease, on the basis that it will retain a racquets club and that the Stella Artois Grass Court Championships or any future tournament remains unaffected.

The 10.8-acre Queen’s site boasts 29 outdoor lawn tennis courts, 10 indoor lawn tennis courts, two real tennis courts, two racquets courts, three squash courts, a gym and a physiotherapy suite. The clubhouse contains a restaurant, a café and a museum.

Over the past three years £1.25m has been spent on upgrading the catering and hospitality offering.

“Moving to our new National Tennis Centre in Roehampton is an integral part of our plans for finding and developing future British tennis champions,” said John Crowther, the LTA’s chief executive.

“We want to ensure that Queen’s Club continues in its role as one of the most prestigious tennis and racquets sports clubs in the country and to host the Stella Artois tournament each June.”

He added that the proceeds of the sale would be reinvested in the development of British tennis. Details: www.lta.org.uk