Frustration over plans to replace Cambridge’s Ping Pong Parlour with a smaller venue

Barney McCullagh says playing table tennis at the Grafton has improved his Parkinson's disease symptoms
-Credit: (Image: Siobhan Middleton / CambridgeshireLive)


A regular player at Cambridge’s Ping Pong Parlour has described plans to replace the facility with a smaller one as ‘the thin end of the wedge’. The ten tables at the popular Grafton Centre site are free to use, and the centre is often busy with players.

The new facility will be at unit 55, opposite Decathlon at the front of the shopping centre. Barney McCullagh has been playing at the Ping Pong Parlour for nine months.

He has Parkinson’s disease and said the game has improved his motor skills “tremendously”. Barney continued: “I used to have a very bad gait and my consultant was continually getting at me, trying to get me straighter.

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“I couldn’t straighten up before I started playing table tennis. I can now walk in a straight line and I don’t stick out from the crowd any more as someone who is obviously suffering from some sort of motor disease.”

Responding to the planned relocation, Barney said: “This creates more problems than it solves. The new premises are scarcely big enough to accommodate two tables.

“The mammoth interior square pillars that are characteristic of the centre puts internal space at a premium. By contrast, the current premises are big enough to accommodate ten tables.

“The parlour has become a victim of its own success. With tables freely available, the popularity of the parlour has grown exponentially, so much so that the facility has long since become a community centre where English, Chinese, and Central Europeans (to name but a few) congregate to play, talk, and socialise.

Grafton Centre's Ping Pong Parlour
Grafton Centre's Ping Pong Parlour -Credit:Siobhan Middleton / CambridgeshireLive

“Whilst the beneficiaries of this initiative are grateful to Table Tennis England and the Grafton Centre for their original investment, there is now much uncertainty surrounding the venue’s new two-table operation.

“This is where the council could make a difference. Could it not dedicate a premises in central Cambridge to the provision of free table tennis for all?

“In essence, we fear that the relocation of the parlour will be the thin end of a wedge that will lead to the extinction of our burgeoning ‘community’.”

Barney also said a new, larger facility would show Cambridge’s commitment to people with Parkinson’s, by supporting health through sport.

John O’Shea, centre manager of The Grafton, said: “Following the consultation on The Grafton redevelopment and the granting of planning permission in February, we will need to move the Ping Pong Parlour. This relocation will occur over the coming months and will bring the Ping Pong Parlour to the front of the centre, and outside of the redevelopment area.

“We, along with Table Tennis England, are pleased to have found a location that enables Ping Pong to still be played at The Grafton.”

Andy Wilesmith, head of table tennis development at Table Tennis England, said: “Over the coming months, we will be working with current users of the Parlour and the City Council to look at future solutions for our ping pong players in Cambridge.”

What Cambridge’s Ping Pong Parlour players have to say about the facility

Keeps children away from trouble

Anthony Nneji has been playing at the parlour for over a year. He said: “I started coming here after Covid. I had put on weight so I had to do something to shed it.

Anthony Nneji said the facility is full of children during the school holidays
Anthony Nneji said the facility is full of children during the school holidays -Credit:Siobhan Middleton / CambridgeshireLive

“This facility is absolutely important – there’s no doubt about it. It’s full of children during holidays and after-school hours.

“There are some kids who, instead of doing bad things, they come and play table tennis. It’s also free and, if you don’t get bats and balls, some of us will lend them to you.”

‘A godsend’

Valerie Lawrence moved to Cambridge from Sheffield three years ago. She said: “The Ping Pong Parlour has been a godsend to me because, other than family members, I didn’t know anyone in Cambridge.

The Ping Pong Parlour helped Valerie Lawrence to meet people in Cambridge
The Ping Pong Parlour helped Valerie Lawrence to meet people in Cambridge -Credit:Siobhan Middleton / CambridgeshireLive

“This facility is always full and the people are so friendly. It is good for me mentally and it has kept me going physically. Now, because of the Ping Pong Parlour, I love Cambridge.”

‘I lost about seven kilos’

TK Leung has been playing at the centre for about 16 months, and has been in Cambridge for around 20 months. He said: “This is a very healthy game.

Playing table tennis lowered TK Leung's cholesterol
Playing table tennis lowered TK Leung's cholesterol -Credit:Siobhan Middleton / CambridgeshireLive

“Since I have started playing, my cholesterol is down. I lost about seven kilos already and the GP said: ‘Incredible – keep playing.’

“It is very good exercise because you need coordination between hands, legs, eyes and the brain. I see young people from about five years old play here, and 80 year olds also play.

“I have also made good friends here.”

‘Keeps me fit and healthy'

The sport keeps Vicky Wu healthy
The sport keeps Vicky Wu healthy -Credit:Siobhan Middleton / CambridgeshireLive

Vicky Wu has been visiting the centre for more than two years. She said: “I find that table tennis is the finest way to keep me fit and healthy. We can meet up with other players here, who are all friendly, and we have fun together.”

Rich and poor can play here

Liz Hill has been playing at the centre for more than two years. She said: “I love it here because, if you turn up and you don’t know anyone to play with, after a short while someone will invite you to have a game.

Liz Hill likes the fact the facility is free
Liz Hill likes the fact the facility is free -Credit:Siobhan Middleton / CambridgeshireLive

“The other thing I like about it is that it’s free, which means that literally anyone can play here – any age group, whether you’re rich or poor. I like the fact that it’s one of those things you can do for nothing, it’s really healthy and you can make friends.”