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How the Canary Wharf Classic Came to Be
Founding partner Alan Thatcher is retiring after the 20th anniversary of the upcoming GillenMarkets Canary Wharf Classic having been the voice of the tournament and media director throughout the event’s history. After two bouts of COVID-19, Alan is taking a break to concentrate on his health.
Here he discusses the formation of the Canary Wharf Classic with Tournament Director Tim Garner, the hurdles that had to be overcome in the early days, the many innovations down the years, and the loyalty of star players, volunteers and spectators.
By Alan Thatcher
When we first discussed staging a tournament in the bright lights of Docklands’ futuristic financial district, we were always confident that it would be a success.
And our first view of the beautiful venue confirmed those feelings, especially when we realised that the building is shaped like a squash racket!
However, there were plenty of anxious moments as we worked hard to assemble a talented cast of players to help sell tickets.
Tournament Director Tim Garner explains: “It was a massive leap of faith pressing the ‘Go’ button in 2004. Thankfully, having former World Champion Peter Nicol involved gave the other top players at the time some comfort that it would actually happen and they agreed to play, which helped draw in the crowds even in year one.”
Canary Wharf quickly established a reputation for hosting a fantastic tournament with many innovations down the years, including experimental scoring, video reviews (using the big screen at the venue), providing corporate hospitality, and building the VIP Bar on the gallery level.
Garner adds: “If squash didn’t try things, we would still be playing with wooden rackets on white courts.
“It’s been great to have the ability to trial stuff over the years, even if it didn’t work such as the best-of-seven to PAR9 final in the first year. It’s important to trial stuff in a robust environment to see if it really does work outside of exhibitions, and I think PSA has really appreciated that opportunity to develop the way our sport is played and broadcast.”
While launching the tournament we had high hopes that we could attract sponsors from the many finance companies based at Canary Wharf. But the reality was very different.
Garner reveals: “Peter and I were in the conservatory at Lambs Squash Club when ISS facilities management company said they would put some money into the first edition. We knew it wouldn’t cover all the costs, but it gave us some security that we wouldn’t lose our shirts and enabled us to take the plunge.
“They were wonderful supporters of the event in the early years and the Hilton Docklands was the Official Hotel that year and still is now (albeit with a gap in the middle of a few years).
“Likewise, the Canary Wharf Group believed in us from the outset and have been incredible supporters of the event, not just financially but through the assistance of their Arts & Events team.”
Ultimately, sponsoring the tournament and entertaining potential clients during the tournament reaped solid rewards for ISS. They attracted numerous business connections and finally moved their company headquarters from south of the river to the Canary Wharf estate itself.
Managing the logistics of staging a major event is a challenging task and Garner adds: “All events have lots of moving parts and none more so than in the middle of London.
“Canary Wharf also has a high bar in standards and this has helped us look to set the standard for squash events. Occasionally (especially early on) we did things that were always done at squash events that weren’t up to those standards and we were quickly picked up on it!
“This meant that we always look to deliver the highest quality event, often on a budget that is barely breaking even.”
Our ethos for the tournament is simple: to look after all of our guests, especially players, sponsors and spectators.
Garner adds: “Players are always a challenge, but that’s understandable as they are all unique but driven individuals who are ultimately wanting whatever works best for them.
“However, they are also great to deal with, especially when you work out what their character is and what makes them tick.
“Clearly, they also enjoy the event as seen by so many returning over the years and us ending up with an outstanding entry for the 20th event this year.”
Down the years we have been blessed with a loyal team of volunteers doing so many important tasks behind the scenes.
Some are more visible than others, although tournament referee Linda Davie prefers to shun the limelight as she efficiently manages the schedule for the officials.
One volunteer who has enjoyed almost as much time on the glass court as the star players is our court cleaner Ken Narain!
Ken is a sprightly 81-year-old who was born in Karachi and enjoyed his first experience of squash with lessons from Roshan Khan, British Open champion in 1957 and father of the legendary Jahangir, who won the British Open 10 years in succession.
As well as loyal volunteers, Canary Wharf has also attracted an army of loyal spectators, over 60,000 of them. Every year, when tickets are put on sale, they are snapped up within weeks, providing full-house crowds from day one.
We salute every one of you.
