A new padel club has opened in Gloucester Quays Retail Park, occupying the former Toys R Us building.
- The £1m facility boasts nine courts, a restaurant, and a bar, and has created 15 jobs.
- Padel, a mix of tennis, squash, and badminton, is rapidly gaining popularity in the UK.
- General Manager Hannah Thomas highlighted the sport’s accessibility and community appeal.
- Peel Retail & Leisure’s Mark Whittaker remarked on padel’s rising popularity in Gloucester.
The recently launched padel club at Gloucester Quays Retail Park occupies the premises which formerly housed Toys R Us, marking a significant investment of £1 million. This facility includes nine state-of-the-art courts alongside dining options such as a restaurant and bar, ultimately creating employment for 15 individuals.
Padel is described as a blend of tennis, squash, and badminton and is notably gaining momentum as ‘the fastest-growing racket sport in the world’. This sport is played on an enclosed court, roughly a third the size of a traditional tennis court, providing a unique and accessible playing experience.
Hannah Thomas, the General Manager of the new padel club in Gloucester, commented on the sport’s burgeoning popularity in the UK. She emphasised that padel offers both accessibility and a sense of community, attributes that are driving its expansion. ‘Gloucester is a great place to expand the presence of padel in the South West, given its sporting background,’ she remarked, underscoring the strategic choice of location.
Mark Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Retail & Leisure, added his insights regarding the appeal of padel in Gloucester. He acknowledged that The Padel Club had various regional options for launching a new venue but was pleased that Gloucester could be home to this burgeoning sport before others. This is a testament to the growing enthusiasm for padel, both in Gloucester and the wider UK.
Peel Retail & Leisure’s partnership with The Padel Club is expanding, with a second venue featuring 11 courts slated to open in Trafford City later this year. This continued collaboration highlights the successful integration and demand for padel facilities in the UK.
The new padel club at Gloucester Quays exemplifies the growing popularity and investment in padel sports across the UK.
