Pure Padel to almost triple Scots’ padel provision
Pure Padel Glasgow plans
Glasgow is swapping one type of blockbuster for another with news that emerging ‘super club’ brand Pure Padel is converting the city’s former Cineworld cinema into a 10-court padel centre.
When it opens in January, the 40,000 sq ft venue – at The Forge Retail Park – will be Scotland’s largest padel facility and increase padel provision north of the border by almost a third.
Pure Padel founder Sammy Arora described the Glasgow scheme as a ‘landmark project’ for the company, adding: “We’re thrilled to be opening our biggest club yet in Glasgow. To open our first venue in Scotland – and in the fourth biggest city in the UK – is a statement of intent for where we are headed. We’re excited to bring padel to the city and serve the huge demand we’ve witnessed across Scotland.”
The Glasgow announcement comes just days after Pure Padel revealed plans for an indoor club in Birmingham city centre. The seven court venue, due to open in January, is repurposing a former Jaguar Land Rover engineering plant in New Summer Street. It marks the return of indoor padel to the city; Birmingham was one of the first places in the UK with indoor courts thanks to Padel Nation in Yardley, which closed in 2019.
For Pure Padel both Glasgow and Birmingham form part of a bigger plan to roll out premium ‘destination’ clubs around the country. The company launched two years ago with three outdoor courts in Alderley Edge, Manchester, and has since added an indoor club in Manchester city centre and opened venues in Darlington, Stockport and North Leeds. In addition, Pure Padel Nottingham is due to open this month, a venue in Lightwater, Surrey, will open its doors in February and clubs in Gosforth, York and Solihull are on target to welcome their first players by June of next year.
“With Glasgow and Birmingham announced, we are on track to becoming the UK’s largest premium operator – we’re excited to grow the sport the right way in the UK in the years ahead,” added Sammy, whose father Bobby (of the B&M retail chain) is an investor.
we’re excited to grow the sport the right way in the UK in the years ahead.
- Sammy Arora, Pure Padel founder.
Padel & pickle for TPC
Manchester-based The Padel Club is also expanding, with plans for five new locations – including a padel and pickleball club at Brunswick Dock, Liverpool – and its most southerly venue yet – six padel courts in a village just north of Brighton, East Sussex. It is also looking at building clubs in Sheffield and Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Kris Ball, CEO of The Padel Club who describes himself as a ‘proud scouser’, said: “I know first hand just how much Liverpool is a city that thrives on sport, culture and community. At Brunswick Dock we’re creating something truly special – a padel destination where players of all levels can enjoy the game in an iconic location.
“When I started The Padel Club back in 2020 it was a very new sport here in the UK and I could see the potential. Little did I think that my dream of getting to launch the best facilities for what is now, the fastest growing sport in the UK and in my home city on the iconic waterfront would ever happen. This will be a fantastic social sports club, right in the centre of the city. I am beyond excited and proud of the team for making this possible.”
In Sussex Kris and his team are planning what they describe as ‘the first of several’ clubs in the area. First up are four canopied/two outdoor courts at Q Leisure in Albourne, near Brighton. The centre currently offers go-karting, shooting, axe throwing, archery and glamping.🎾
