Melton Mowbray is set to join the UK\u2019s booming padel market with the launch of a new \u00a3850,000 venue this August, as investors back the fast-growing sport\u2019s expansion beyond major cities.<\/p>\n
Rally Yard Melton has redeveloped a long-vacant site at Asfordby Business Park into a padel and social venue, bringing five courts and hospitality facilities to the town. <\/p>\n
The scheme marks the first site under the Rally Yard brand, with founders already eyeing wider UK expansion.<\/p>\n
The venue will feature four doubles courts and one singles court, alongside a clubhouse with a caf\u00e9, bar and terrace, creating a hybrid leisure model designed to capture both sporting and social demand.<\/p>\n
It is being led by entrepreneur Dan Ross, who moved from motor trade sales and management into technology before turning his attention to the growing padel market after discovering the sport two years ago.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI\u2019d played squash and tennis for years, but the first time I tried padel with colleagues I was completely hooked. It combines the best elements of both sports and is incredibly social and accessible to all ages and abilities. The idea of creating the centre started from that passion and has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined.\u201d<\/p>\n
Development began last year, with Ross working alongside specialist advisers to secure funding and shape the business model. The venture is backed by six investors, including co-founder Dr Ed Allen and former ASOS Head of Technology Callum Akhtar.<\/p>\n
The courts have been imported from Spain and feature terracotta-coloured turf inspired by the clay courts of the French Open, reflecting the founders\u2019 aim to create a premium customer experience in a market that continues to attract growing consumer interest.<\/p>\n
The venue will operate on a semi-automated model, allowing players to book and access courts from 5am to 11pm, extending capacity beyond traditional staffed opening hours. Court hire will start at \u00a330 per hour on a pay-and-play basis.<\/p>\n
Ross said: \u201cWe\u2019re already looking at partnerships with local businesses, community events and tournaments, and there is scope for future additions such as wellness facilities, Pilates and a sauna. This is the first Rally Yard, but it certainly won\u2019t be the last.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A disused site in Melton Mowbray is being transformed into a new padel and leisure destination<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2112270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,120904],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2112269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-property","category-sport","tag-featured-story","tag-leicestershire"],"yoast_head":"\n