New centre at leisure park near Dudley will cash in on padel-tennis craze

A new sports centre could be built on a car park at a Black Country leisure park to cash-in on the padel-tennis craze.

Ballers Padel & Social Wellness Club has submitted plans to build an open-air padel centre on a car park at the Waterfront business and leisure park in Brierley Hill.

The Birmingham-based company has applied for planning permission to build four outdoor padel courts alongside a clubhouse and spectator area at the rear of the main car park in Waterfront Way.

Director Adrian Cole forecast that the centre would attract 900 visitors a week, supporting up to nine jobs.

It is one of three planned centres by the company in the West Midlands.

He said, along with the recent launch of Dockworks by Digbeth Dining Club at the centre, and plans to extend the West Midlands Metro tramline, it would help shift the complex to a more dynamic, leisure-led destination.

Mr Cole said the scheme had the backing of the Lawn Tennis Association.

Padel is a form of tennis which uses smaller courts and solid, perforated rackets.

“This isn’t just about building courts,” said Mr Cole.

“It’s about creating a place where people can move, connect and unwind. The Waterfront already has the foundations - great businesses, great food, a strong community, we’re adding the missing piece, a social sport that brings people together.”

Mr Cole said the Waterfront was chosen for its high concentration of office workers and businesses, availability of existing food, drink and leisure businesses, availability of parking, and the ongoing regeneration and investment in the area.

“The introduction of padel, a fast-growing, highly social racket sport complements the site’s evolution into a modern mixed-use destination, rather than just a traditional business park,” he said.