Scandinavian sports operator Rocket Padel has set out plans to secure up to 20 UK sites, after signing for its first location at Riverside Business Park in Bristol.
The padel tennis company will launch its debut centre in spring 2023, in a redeveloped, 60,000 sq ft industrial space that has stood empty for three years.
Rocket Padel has instructed Savills to source new locations as the sport continues to grow. The operator is looking for sites measuring 15,000-60,000 sq ft for a minimum of six courts, in major cities such as London, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester and Edinburgh.
The company is focusing on converting disused locations with good transport links into sports facilities.
Padel tennis has become increasingly popular in recent years and continues to gain traction across the UK, following ongoing investment into the sport and a significant push from the Lawn Tennis Association.
Rocket Padel UK director Carl-Henric Heimdal said: “Working with Savills we have managed to transform an unoccupied 60,000 sq ft warehouse into a padel and training facility that will welcome many happy customers every day.
“The facility, which will be the largest padel venue in the UK, is strategically located for easy access by car, bus and bike [or] e-bike, and we are now looking for further opportunities like this throughout the UK. Together with Savills we have developed a process on how to take advantage of disused facilities and convert them into sporting facilities and we are certain there are plenty of spaces just waiting to be altered.”
Savills out of town retail director Matt McCue said: “From what was a relatively unknown sport in the UK just a few years ago, padel has gained significant momentum and is now at a major tipping point in terms of growth.
“Its huge popularity across Europe shows the major potential that the sport has here in the UK, and the plans from Rocket Padel to open up to 20 new sites is testament to that.”
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