Plans for region’s first covered padel courts unveiled

Soul Padel is to launch Merseyside’s first covered padel courts, set to open at Queens Park Recreation Ground in St Helens next spring.

The facility will feature four canopy-covered courts and a modern clubhouse.

Mark Hewlett, founder of Wigan-based Soul Padel, said: “We are thrilled to bring padel to St Helens and be part of the town’s ongoing regeneration efforts.

“This site will be the only covered padel club in Merseyside, and we’re excited to welcome players from across the region and beyond.”

Cllr Kate Groucutt, St Helens Borough Council Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Leisure, said: “As a borough, we see higher participation rates in team sports than anywhere else in the country. With a strong sporting heritage, it is great to see new opportunities to encourage more people to get active, particularly with Soul Padel’s mission to make this growing sport more accessible and affordable coming to our borough.”

She added: “Padel is rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the North West due to its ease to play, so it’s a fabulous opportunity to see new facilities being developed in the area around Queens Park, which will further support the wider aims of our Active Lives Strategy to encourage people to move more and support the redevelopment of brownfield land.”

In addition to expanding access to padel, Soul Padel is committed to building close ties with local educational institutions, including Liverpool’s three universities, Edge Hill University, and St Helens Sixth Form College. The goal is to make the sport accessible to students and young people across the region.

Hewlett added: “We’re proud to be part of the community here in St Helens, and we’re excited to welcome players from all over Merseyside and beyond.

“We aim to make sure everyone feels part of the club, with affordable pricing and a wide range of coaching programmes.”