Founder, Shareholder & Managing Director’s Report
Wishing All Our 30,000+ Players and Our Team A Very Happy New Year!
I hope you all had a very happy Christmas Holiday! I want to begin by thanking our outstanding team of staff across the UK for their continued commitment and dedication throughout 2025. Every one of our clubs has experienced growth over the past year, which is a testament to the strength of our people and our operating model.
We now operate 10 venues with a total of 33 courts, all of which are secured on long-term leases. This demonstrates not only the sustainability of each site but also the long-term stability of the wider business. This is particularly encouraging news for our 30,000+ players across the UK, who continue to support and grow the PDL community.
What’s Happening in 2026?
Looking ahead, 2026 promises to be an exceptionally exciting year for the company. We have secured planning approval for a number of new developments, including Cambridge, two sites in Bexleyheath, Willesden, and Redbridge, alongside further progress at our existing clubs in Wirral, Bushey, and Plymouth.
As a result of this expansion, we expect to grow to 15 venues and 48 courts, serving an estimated 50,000+ players nationwide. We are particularly excited to be strengthening our presence in the South-East and expanding further into London during 2026.
Further Expansion
Beyond 2026, we have Heads of Terms agreed in several additional high-potential regions, including Essex, London, Suffolk, Northamptonshire, Cheshire, and Oxfordshire. These projects are planned for late 2026 and 2027, subject to the successful completion of planning permissions.
Conclusion
Our vision remains clear: affordable, pay-and-play padel facilities should be accessible to communities across the UK. While there is ongoing debate suggesting that only indoor centres can succeed, my experience of over eight years in UK padel shows that a balanced combination of outdoor and covered facilities is the most sustainable approach. This model supports long-term business growth and, crucially, the continued development of the sport itself.
I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and here’s to another year of fantastic padel in 2026.
Richard Hall-Smith
Founder, Shareholder & Managing Director
