Hounslow Council has approved nearly £1 million to build six new padel courts at two of its leisure centres. The project aims to boost participation in racquet sports amid declining tennis usage. Courts are expected to open in spring or summer 2027.
Hounslow Council announced on January 20, 2026, the approval of funding for six new padel courts, to be added to its racquet sports facilities at Hanworth and Isleworth Leisure Centres. At each site, two of the four existing tennis courts will be converted into three padel courts, with an estimated capital cost of £950,000. The initiative is projected to generate £1.4 million in additional income over four years, offering value for money while addressing underutilized tennis facilities.
Padel, a sport played on smaller courts with lighter racquets than tennis, is noted for being joint-friendly and accessible across ages and abilities. It promotes fitness and strength, aligning with the council's focus on residents' health and wellbeing. Current data shows tennis court occupancy has fallen by 27 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels, creating an opportunity to repurpose spaces to meet evolving community preferences.
Following the funding decision, the council will consult local residents and submit plans to its planning team. Lampton Leisure, the council's partner, will manage the new courts once operational in spring or summer 2027. This addition complements existing offerings like tennis, badminton, squash, and pickleball at centres such as Brentford and Osterley.
Councillor Salman Shaheen, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Public Spaces, emphasized the investment's benefits: "I'm proud we are investing nearly £1 million to bring padel to our leisure centres, in Isleworth and Hanworth, for the first time. There can be no greater investment than in the health and wellbeing of our residents. By building these new courts, this hugely popular, and rapidly growing sport, accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities, will be opened up to more people in Hounslow, giving residents more ways to keep fit and have fun."