A huge padel centre with championship-level indoor and outdoor courts will open before the end of this year in Speke, North Liverpool.
The third club from Liverpool-based operators Ignite Padel was actually due to be the largest padel centre in the UK, but owners dropped two courts from the original plans to create more spectator space and room for academy and local community hub activities.
Ignite Padel opened its first site in Liverpool in April featuring six floodlit outdoor courts. They then opened another site in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire Oaks in September this year, which has five indoor and two outdoor courts.
Ignite Padel’s latest site in Speke will consist of six indoor courts and four outdoor covered courts. It’s intended to become a 24-hour site, although initially it will operate from 6am to midnight everyday.
Thomas Lawton, partner in Ignite Padel, said: “We initially looked at building 12 courts in total but had a change of heart for several reasons. Firstly we wanted to be able to offer more viewing spaces for big world-level tournaments on the FIP circuit.
“We also want the local community to be able to use the centre as a hub for a range of different services, from community events to academy training.”
Like at their Cheshire Oaks site, there will be a licensed bar and a specialised coffee shop for a relaxing drink after a game showing all of the Sky Sports and TNT Sports action.
Ignite Padel Speke will also contain a retail store where players can shop for racquets, balls and clothing. It will also offer expert coaching from beginner to more experienced level.
Stephen Broad, p Partner at Ignite Padel, added: “We have imported all the courts from Spain and they are championship-standard quality and LTA approved.
“It’s not just about being able to play in all weathers, the indoor game tends to attract more elite players because it is seen as a more pure form. It is a different experience to playing outdoors because there’s no wind so you get a truer trajectory on the ball.”
Ignite Padel are aiming to open a total of five across the North West within 12 months.
Chris Watson, partner at Ignite Padel, said: “By the time this site opens in December 2025 we will have also created around 40 full and part-time jobs since opening our first site on Queens Drive in Stoneycroft in April this year. This is something all three partners are very proud of as a new local company from the city creating jobs in padel tennis.”
