Scandinavian padel operator Rocket Padel has signed for its debut UK site at Riverside Business Park in Bristol.
Padel, which is already hugely popular across Europe and the Nordics, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and Rocket Padel has plans to secure up to 20 new sites across the UK – the Bristol site will open in spring next year.
The company has appointed Saville to secure sites ranging from 15,000 sq ft to 60,000 sq ft in major UK cities such as London, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Carl-Henric Heimdal, director at Rocket Padel UK, said: “We are thrilled to finally open Rocket Padel Bristol early next year. Working with Savills we have managed to transform an unoccupied 60,000 sq ft warehouse into a padel and training facility that will welcome many happy customers every day.
“The facility, which will be the largest padel venue in the UK, is strategically located for easy access by car, bus and bike/e-bike, and we are now looking for further opportunities like this throughout the UK. Together with Savills we have developed a process on how to take advantage of disused facilities and convert them into sporting facilities and we are certain there are plenty of spaces just waiting to be altered.”
Matt McCue, retail director at Savills, added: “From what was a relatively unknown sport in the UK just a few years ago, padel has gained significant momentum and is now at a major tipping point in terms of growth. Its huge popularity across Europe shows the major potential that the sport has here in the UK, and the plans from Rocket Padel to open up to 20 new sites is testament to that.
“We’re excited to be working with them on their expansion plans, kick starting with their debut centre in Bristol which is the perfect location to launch Rocket Padel to the UK market.”
