Birmingham’s First Dedicated Padel Club Proposed for Peddimore, Sutton Coldfield.

Proposals to bring Birmingham’s first dedicated padel facility to the city are being developed by IM Properties and The Padel Club at Peddimore in Royal Sutton Coldfield.

The Padel Club, which is backed by high-profile sports people including Michael Vaughan, Jos Buttler, James Milner and Shay Given, has drawn up plans, which are subject to planning, for a 10-court facility featuring two open-air courts and eight covered, with a clubhouse and landscaped social area.

Padel is the fastest growing racket sport in the UK and a highly social and inclusive team sport, connecting players of all ages and abilities in a purpose-built space.

Kris Ball, CEO of the Padel Club said: “Our club model is about more than just sport. We create places where people can meet, play, and form lasting connections.”

Peddimore’s strategic location within Birmingham, and now part of Sutton Connect’s Green Travel District, makes it an ideal location for The Padel Club to debut in the city , making it accessible by walking, cycling or public transport.

Its inclusive ethos also aligns to IM Properties’ Sustainable Futures strategy for creating schemes which focus on People, Place and Planet and leave a lasting legacy for communities.

Richard Lawrence, development director for IM Properties added: “Providing the local community with an amenity space and hub for the scheme is part of our placemaking strategy on Peddimore which fits in with our Sustainable Futures vision focusing on People, Planet and Place.

“The Padel Club concept appealed to us because it is fresh, exciting and accessible. The facilities are designed to encourage people to stay afterwards, socialise and build a community of like-minded individuals.

“It’s still in the planning stages, but we’re hopeful it will be a concept embraced by the city and its people and creates a vibrant new community hub for Peddimore, to help promote the long-term wellbeing of people.”

Ball added: “Birmingham is an exciting next step in our expansion, and we welcome the opportunity to share this journey with IM Properties, who are a perfect fit for our ambitions to connect people and create a strong sense of community.”

The Padel Club currently has three clubs in Cheshire and Gloucester with a further three planned by the end of 2025 including Birmingham.

Peddimore, developed in partnership with Birmingham City Council, is already home to global logistics operator, Amazon, which has created more than 1,400 new jobs since it opened. IM Properties has also delivered a £275,000 Community Fund supporting multiple projects and grassroot organisations and charities.

Key Facts about Padel

Numbers Playing: As of 2023, approximately 90,000 people play padel in the UK. LTA This marks a significant increase from 2020, when there were about 6,000 players.

Played in Doubles: Unlike many racket sports, padel is almost exclusively played in doubles (2 vs. 2). The smaller court size and the dynamics of the game make doubles play more strategic and engaging, with players relying heavily on teamwork and positioning.

Walls Are in Play: One of padel's most distinctive rules is that the walls are part of the game. Similar to squash, players can hit the ball off the walls, which opens up a variety of angles and makes for longer, more strategic rallies.

Growing Popularity Worldwide: Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, especially in Spain and Latin America. Spain alone has over 20,000 padel courts, and the sport's popularity is expanding rapidly in Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.

Easier to Learn, Physically Accessible: Padel is considered easier to pick up than tennis due to its smaller court size, underhand serve, and use of walls to keep the ball in play. It’s also less physically demanding, making it popular among a wide range of ages and fitness levels.

About IM Properties.

IM Properties is one of the UK’s largest privately owned property companies, investing significantly in the Midlands to create sustainable new developments. www.improperties.co.uk