Planning permission has been granted by Wandsworth Council for London-based Padel Social Club to create a new sports facility at Southside Shopping Centre.
Padel Social Club and Southside Shopping Centre will transform the rooftop of the centre’s multi-storey carpark into a brand-new innovative sports and recreational space. Spanning two levels, the 30,000 sq ft bespoke venue will feature six covered padel courts, including an exhibition court, along with a variety of amenities designed to create a fun experience and enhance the social nature of the sport.
Padel is a fast-paced racket sport that is often described as a mix between tennis and squash. The sport is often played in doubles on an enclosed court, which is roughly one-third of a size of a tennis court.
In addition to the Padel courts, the new facility will provide modern changing rooms and a wellness area, as well as an array of food and beverage kiosks showcasing curated menus from rotating restaurants and chefs. Vibrant social spaces will be available, including co-working spaces overlooking the padel courts, open seating within the reception, and an outdoor area offering panoramic views over Wandsworth.
Padel Social Club at Southside will officially open its doors to the public at the end of 2024 and aims to create an inclusive space where everyone is welcome to play, learn and socialise. As the fastest growing sport in the world, there is a strong demand for new padel courts in the UK, and this state-of-the-art development will offer padel enthusiasts an exceptional and accessible indoor experience.
“We’re delighted to see this project coming to life and to be able to bring our all-encompassing Padel experience to Wandsworth”, says Padel Social Club CEO, Kristian Hunter.
“Working alongside Southside Shopping Centre, we are excited to create a vibrant community space that introduces more people to the social sport of Padel.”
Rebecca Ruddle, Centre Director at Southside Shopping Centre, commented: “We’re excited to be partnering with Padel Social Club to bring the game to Wandsworth. This exciting addition not only revitalises an underutilised space at the centre, but also enhances our bustling leisure offering. We’re confident that this new facility will bring something new and exciting for our community, and create a vibrant space that fosters connections, whilst introducing a sport that is becoming increasingly popular throughout the UK.”
Councillor Tony Belton, who chairs Wandsworth’s Planning Applications Committee said: “This is an interesting scheme that’s using an empty rooftop space to create a sports and leisure facility for a popular new health and fitness activity. We welcome applications that not only help deliver better health and well-being opportunities for our residents but also those that come up with imaginative new uses to turn vacant and underused spaces into vibrant community spaces.”
Southside Shopping Centre is a retail and leisure destination located in the heart of Wandsworth, South West London. It is home to over 70 retail brands, restaurants and leisure destinations, including supermarket giant Waitrose, entertainment centre Gravity and a 14-screen Cineworld multiplex featuring London’s first-ever 4DX screen.
