Plans for a padel club at a suburban garden centre are under consideration by Leeds City Council.
Four uncovered floodlit padel courts and a picnic area have been proposed at Garforth Garden Centre on Selby Road, east of Leeds city centre.
The proposed venue is the first project launched by Yorkshire Padel, co-founded by Leeds-based fitness trainer Charlie Hobson and construction specialist Ross Trutch.
Their full planning application was out for consultation until Monday this week (June 22).
If approved, the courts will be built to the rear of the current site, surrounded by trees, plants and landscaping to blend in with the current garden centre surroundings.
Co-founder Hobson told The Padel Paper: “The project will offer synergy between the garden centre and padel facility.
“There are numerous business benefits, including footfall into the garden centre on a daily basis, plus a cafe which can be used by players.
“Padel is massively social and we’re hoping it will become a social hub, where people can meet for a game then head next door afterwards for a coffee surrounded by nature.
“We want people to meet others and enjoy the atmosphere afterwards. We’re trying to create something that works for everyone.”
A design report said the project would boost visitor numbers to the centre and promote health and wellbeing.
The LED lighting will be on a timer and directional to minimise light spill beyond the courts’ perimeter.
Hobson added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received so far and are really excited about the possibility of bringing padel to Garforth.”
