Up until now, padel clubs in the UK have mostly been built in the big cities where there’s high footfall and reasonable certainty of paying customers turning up in numbers. But a new start-up, Padel Shift, is aiming to take the game to the great British countryside.
Marketing itself as ‘the UK’s leading rural padel club operator’, Padel Shift is opening its first two venues in the Cotswolds this month, with further sites set to open later in 2023.
Its initial clubs are at Daylesford Farm in the North Cotswolds at The Club by Bamford’s wellness experience and at Elkstone Studios, a co-working space managed by the Coombe End Estate, a 2,500-acre site situated in the South Cotswolds.
Padel Shift are offering free introductory court bookings at The Club by Bamford site during its first three weeks of operation from 17 April to 8 May.
Carole Bamford, founder of Daylesford & Bamford, said: “Our ethos at The Club is to find the joy in fitness, offering our members ways to incorporate it into their lifestyle in ways that are innovative, sociable and fun.
“Padel chimes perfectly with this and having seen the racket sport grow in momentum over the last few years, it is exciting to be bringing some of the action to the Cotswolds countryside with Padel Shift.”
The Coombe End Estate site in the South Cotswolds opens on 25 April. Padel will sit alongside other community-led businesses including Elkstone Studios, a lifestyle co-working space, Origin Health Club, Knead Bakery and Jane Smith Food Hall.
Padel Shift founder Jack Chaplin said: “After a significant period of planning as the UK’s leading rural padel facility operator, we’re finally ready to start getting players on court and we couldn’t be more excited with our first two locations.
“To be able to welcome all players, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned padel pro, to these unique locations is something we’re hugely proud of.
“Padel is a sport for people from all walks of life and we’re passionate about getting players on court to experience the fun for themselves.”
