Two very different projects reported on 16 October show how far padel has spread across the UK. In west London, a cinema that has stood empty since June is to become an 11-court padel centre, while in Shropshire builders have started work on the first padel courts at Telford Tennis Centre.
A multiplex becomes a padel club
Hammersmith and Fulham Council unanimously approved plans by Rocket Padel to convert the former 12-screen Vue cinema at the West 12 Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush, the Evening Standard reported. Vue had occupied the unit since 2001 but surrendered its lease six months early and left in June, having faced competition from newer cinemas in nearby White City.
Planning officers recommended approval on the grounds that the scheme brings a long-vacant unit back into use and strengthens the centre's leisure offer. The approved hours run from 6am to midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and a planning condition requires the space to remain an indoor sports facility. Councillor Ross Melton said the cinema had been "underutilised for some years" and called its new use "very welcome". Rocket Padel already operates sites in Battersea, Beckton, Ilford and Bristol. No opening date has been given.
Work starts in Telford
In Telford, construction began on 16 October as part of a partnership between Telford & Wrekin Council and We Do Tennis, the not-for-profit operator that runs coaching at the centre, Shropshire Live reported. The courts are expected to open by the end of October, subject to progress on site.
The planning application submitted in April, according to the council, covered two covered doubles courts and one uncovered singles court, plus a viewing area, changing rooms, a café and retail space. Councillor Angela McClements said the council looks forward to "welcoming players onto the courts later this autumn", while We Do Tennis co-director Nigel Hunter promised "affordable courts for the local community".
What the LTA numbers say
The two schemes fit a national trend measured by the Lawn Tennis Association. In May 2026 the governing body reported that one million adults and juniors were playing padel in Britain, on 1,825 courts across 551 venues. Its count was 860,000 at the end of 2025, 400,000 at the end of 2024 and just 15,000 in 2019. The LTA also estimates that around two-thirds of padel players play tennis as well, which helps explain why tennis centres such as Telford are adding courts. The figures count people who played at least once in the previous year, so they measure reach rather than weekly regulars.
Councils are part of the push too. Hounslow Council approved funding in January for six courts at Hanworth and Isleworth leisure centres, converted from four tennis courts at an estimated capital cost of £950,000, with opening planned for spring or summer 2027.
Elite padel follows
The growth is starting to show at the top end. Great Britain's women qualified for the FIP World Cup in Doha (2–7 November) by beating Poland 2-0 at the European qualifier in Madrid in September, their first World Cup since 2021, although the men lost 2-1 to Germany in the decisive tie, the International Padel Federation reported. London also hosted a Premier Padel P1 in August, and the full professional schedule is on our padel calendar.
If one of the new courts near you has caught your eye, our guides on how to start playing padel and padel for tennis players cover the basics.
Sources
This article was written by TiebreakNews from the reporting below, checked against official results and rankings.
- Evening Standard — Empty west London Vue cinema to become 11-court padel centre after council approval
- Shropshire Live — Work begins on new padel courts at Telford Tennis Centre
- Telford & Wrekin Council — Planning submitted for new padel courts at Telford Tennis Centre
- LTA Padel — 1,000,000 padel players in Britain
- International Padel Federation — Germany secure double qualification for the FIP World Cup 2026 in Doha. Netherlands and Great Britain also celebrate