The new indoor padel club in Gloucester offers a unique sporting experience, merging tennis, squash, and badminton into one engaging activity.
- Located in the former Toys R Us building, the £1m club houses nine courts, a restaurant, and a bar, aiming to foster community spirit.
- The venue’s launch created 15 jobs, signalling positive economic impact in the Gloucester Quays area.
- Padel’s rising popularity in the UK is attributed to its accessibility and community-building potential.
- Peel Retail & Leisure has partnered with The Padel Club for Gloucester, marking their second collaboration in the region.
The newly inaugurated indoor padel club in Gloucester presents a unique blend of sports, offering enthusiasts an engaging alternative that combines elements of tennis, squash, and badminton. With the sport often hailed as the fastest-growing racket sport globally, the club is strategically located in the former Toys R Us building at Gloucester Quays Retail Park. This £1m investment includes nine designated courts, complemented by a modern restaurant and bar, designed to enhance the overall player experience while fostering a social environment.
This new venue’s opening has resulted in the creation of 15 jobs, reflecting an economic uplift for the local community. The choice of location within Gloucester is strategic, given the city’s rich sporting background, making it an ideal spot for expanding the sport’s footprint in the South West.
Hannah Thomas, the general manager of the club, emphasises the accessibility and communal appeal of padel, contributing greatly to its UK popularity. She states, “Gloucester is a great place to expand the presence of padel in the South West, given its sporting background, and Gloucester Quays Retail Park has provided us with the best possible site to reach the broadest demographic of people we can.” The appeal is further enhanced by the central location, inviting both novices and seasoned players to explore the sport’s allure.
Mark Whittaker, managing director of Peel Retail & Leisure, highlights how padel’s exponential rise in popularity aligns with the company’s vision. “Operators like The Padel Club will have had lots of options in the region for opening a new venue, so we wanted to make sure this is something we could bring to the city before anyone else,” he adds, underscoring the competitive landscape and the significance of Gloucester securing this facility.
This opening marks Peel’s second collaboration with The Padel Club, with plans for an additional venue featuring 11 courts set to launch in Trafford City later this year. This continued partnership signifies a mutual commitment to proliferating the sport across varied demographics, thereby amplifying its reach and accessibility.
The launch of the Gloucester padel club underscores the growing appeal of this dynamic sport, fostering community and economic growth.
