Name: Simon James

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Role: Head of Property at The Padel Club

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Who are The Padel Club?

The Padel Club aim to be the go to Padel operator in the UK.

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How many locations do The Padel Club currently have?

Wilmslow is open with 4 courts (another 4 coming soon), Gloucester (9 courts) is now open and Trafford City (11 courts) will open in early March 2025.

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Target locations?

A selection of current target locations include; 

1. South Manchester. 
2. North / West Manchester.
3. Southport / Formby / Crosby. 
4. Edinburgh and Glasgow.
5. Wirral / Chester / Ellesmere Port.
6. Preston.
7. Warrington.
8. Leeds.
9. Solihull
10. Worcester
11. York
12. Nottingham
13. Cambridge

Please contact me for the full list of 35 target locations.

How many new locations are you targeting?

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We are aiming to open 10 - 12 new locations.

Size requirements? 

1. Warehouse space 20 - 45,000 sq.ft, 60,000 sq.ft min 6.5m eaves height.
2. Sites of up to 1.5 acres

Additional requirements?

1. Retail warehouse space or retail parks
2. Part of existing sports, leisure / golf complexes.
3. Office parks / Industrial estates.
4. Large redundant pubs / tired retail locations.
5. Edge of City Centre.

Planning consent? 

We require Class E(d)

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Freehold or Leasehold?

Leasehold preferred, Freehold considered.

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Recent openings or new locations in the pipeline? 

We have about 10 new locations in the pipeline.

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Additional questions:

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What are the main challenges you face when acquiring new property?

1.    Convincing Landlords to consider a Padel operator instead of a more “traditional” type of warehouse user.

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2.    Most Padel developments need a new planning consent, even if it’s simply the conversion of tennis courts. The planning process can be long, expensive and frustrating, when we are looking to create a sporting environment that is open to the public, frequently in underutilised locations that are in need of regeneration, which often involve under resourced Local Authorities.

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Favourite occupier?

Dishoom, Manchester

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What is your favourite building?

100 King Street, Manchester

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Favourite retail or leisure destination?

Bolton Old Links Golf Club

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Contact details?

Email– simon@thepadelclub.co.uk

Tel - 07972113 593

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