Plans for a £4m purpose-built padel centre called Swing have been unveiled in Nottingham, featuring 11 courts and additional wellness and social facilities. The project, submitted by ALB Group, aims to create the UK's largest such venue if approved. Construction could start immediately, with an opening targeted within seven months.
Nottingham-based developer ALB Group has submitted a planning application for a 30,000 sqft padel venue on Electric Avenue, adjacent to its Riverleen House residential project. Named Swing, the facility would include eight indoor padel courts, three covered outdoor courts, and a central show court with arena-style seating. Additional amenities encompass a pickleball court, coworking spaces, an outdoor events area, and wellness options such as a sauna, physiotherapy rooms, sports massage, and a reformer pilates studio.
Food and beverage offerings will be developed in partnership with the team behind Nottingham's Public and Peter’s Pizza venues, including bars and casual dining concepts. A spokesperson for Public emphasized the community focus: “This centre will be more than just first-class courts. We’re building a community founded on connection, conversation and energy. Yes, we want people to come and play, but also to stay to share a drink, work, network and make new connections.”
Arran Bailey, managing director at ALB Group, highlighted the ambition: “We want to create the biggest and best padel court centre in the UK. I’ve been playing for two years now, and it’s changed my life. After visiting courts in New York, Miami and Dubai, I wanted to bring the best bits of all of them back home to Nottingham. We’ve got some crazy plans for this site and amazing food offerings, but at the heart of it all is community.”
The venue, designed by Nottingham-based Leonard Design Architects, draws inspiration from international padel hubs. Director John Morgan noted: “In Spain, padel is second only to football and is seen as a multi-generational social activity. That’s the model we’ve followed to create a space for playing, socialising, working and dining all in one.” He hopes it will become “the best padel centre in Europe.”
Martin Sweeney, former president of the United States Padel Association, expressed excitement: “The investment and vision to construct such a venue will put Nottingham on the UK padel map.” The project also plans to offer coaching, pilates classes, sports therapy, and collaborations with local schools for community events. This follows recent padel developments in the city, including Pure Padel's opening last year and another upcoming facility.
