1992 to 2008
In the 1990s, Shell decided that Lensbury should be seen not as exclusively a "staff benefit" but as a "profit centre". Driven by the Shell Group's new chairman J.S. Jennings, and implemented by the new Chairman of the Club, Clive Mather, changes were instituted that were designed first to reduce and then to eliminate Shell's subsidy. This meant that the decision that had been taken in 1974 to make Lensbury a members club without direct Shell involvement was reversed, and all the members committees were abolished. The club became a subsidiary, like any of Shell's other assets, and like them, it was defined as a business whose goal was to maximise its profits. A plan was proposed by members that would have achieved this objective whilst retaining the essential character of the club, including all the team sports, but this was rejected by the Shell directors. Instead, they insisted on drastic changes to the club.
Non-Shell employees were sought, members' subscriptions were substantially increased, and the whole basis of the club went through a radical series of changes. Team sports, the life blood of the club since its creation, were gradually phased out, and a greatly expanded gymnasium/fitness centre was introduced. The extensive playing fields on the opposite side of Broom Road to the clubhouse were disposed of, and the cricket and rugby pitches on the clubhouse side were redeveloped as a pitch and putt par 3 golf course. The bowling green was closed. These changes had been initially fought hard by many of Lensbury's traditional members (particularly those in the Cricket, Rugby, Bowls and other long-established sections which were forced to disband) but to no avail.
The target market for the club changed from all Shell employees of whatever background (facilitated by nominal subscriptions) to focus on the more wealthy middle-class in the area – particularly professional couples with young families – mostly with no connections with Shell. A crèche facility was introduced. These changes were overseen by a new Chief executive, Lesley White, a professional club/catering manager with no Shell connections or loyalties.
Lensbury hosted Middlesex County Cricket Club and the county played second XI matches on Lensbury's cricket pitch, between 1982 and 1998. Phil Tufnell, Chris Cowdrey, Mark Ramprakash, Angus Fraser, Chris Lewis and Andrew Strauss were amongst the future England international cricketers to have played at the ground.[6] In 2008, the Lensbury celebrated Children in Need, Genes for Jeans and Link Poverty Family Shoebox Appeal, and in 2009, it acquired a Cyber coach.
