The ongoing padel-isisation of Preston looks set to continue as one of the city’s existing facilities plans to expand its offering.
Performance Padel only opened in Fulwood last October but is already wanting to add more courts. The facility has submitted a planning application looking to add two courts in its car park area.
If approved, the new courts will be covered by a canopy to allow all-year use.
Read more: University of Lancashire plans four padel courts at sports arena in Cottam
Padel, which is played in a glass cage and combines elements of tennis and squash, is enjoying a huge growth in popularity with multiple venues opening across the city and beyond.
Performance Padel currently has four courts within a Caxton Road building which was previously used as a food distribution warehouse. According to its application, it is experiencing high demand for its facility so its owners want to make use of excess space in the car park.
The application states: “The padel centre has experienced a significant and sustained increase in demand for court availability, reflecting the growing popularity of padel as both a recreational and competitive sport at local and national levels.
“The proposed development seeks to respond positively to this demand by increasing court capacity within the existing site, thereby ensuring the continued viability and success of the facility while improving access to sporting opportunities for the wider community.”
It adds: “The applicant, Performance Padel Ltd, opened a padel facility in October 2025, which has since proven to be a significant success. The centre has experienced consistently high levels of usage, strong membership uptake, and sustained demand for court bookings, demonstrating the popularity of padel and the quality of the facilities provided.
“As a direct result of this success, the existing courts are operating at or close to full capacity during peak periods. This has created a clear and demonstrable quantitative need for additional padel courts to meet user demand, reduce waiting times, and allow greater access for new players.”
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