Tuesday, 28 July 2026: Independent UK padel operator Padel People is on course to increase its network by 50% this year after securing planning permission for three new venues this month.
The approvals cover sites in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Dorset and will take the business from six venues to nine by the end of 2026. Beyond those locations, Padel People has a wider pipeline spanning 19 venues and 70 courts across England.
The announcement comes at a time when Britain is preparing to host its first-ever Premier Padel tournament at London's Olympia next week. While the event is expected to introduce more people to padel, Padel People believes the sport's long-term growth will depend on ensuring there are high-quality, accessible venues where those inspired to play can get on court themselves.
Founded by George Sandbach and James Rock, Padel People has built its business around a simple philosophy: bringing high-quality, affordable padel to towns and communities that are often overlooked by larger operators. Rather than concentrating on major cities or established padel markets, the independent operator identifies locations where demand exists but provision does not, creating venues designed to serve local people for the long term.
Planning permission granted this month includes:
· St Hugh's School, Oxfordshire – four indoor courts shared between pupils and the wider community through a partnership with the independent school.
· Cricklade, Wiltshire – four indoor courts creating the town's first dedicated padel venue.
· Wimborne, Dorset – the company's largest venue to date, transforming a vacant industrial unit into an eight-court indoor centre.
Together, the three approved projects will add 16 new indoor courts to the Padel People network, expanding access to the sport through welcoming, community-focused venues.
George Sandbach, co-founder of Padel People, said:
"Britain hosting its first Premier Padel tournament is a fantastic moment for the sport and will inspire even more people to pick up a racket. Our focus is making sure there are great places for them to play afterwards.
"These three planning approvals keep us on track to grow from six venues to nine by the end of the year, but just as importantly they show we're growing in the right places. Whether it's working with a school, bringing an empty building back into use or creating a town's first dedicated padel venue, we're focused on building clubs that become part of their local area and make padel more accessible to more people."
St Hugh's School near Faringdon will see four indoor courts shared between pupils during the school day and the wider community outside school hours through a partnership with the independent school.
Cricklade will create the town's first dedicated padel venue, with four indoor courts and strong backing from Cricklade Town Council.
Wimborne, the largest venue in the Padel People network to date, will transform a vacant industrial unit into an eight-court indoor centre serving players across east Dorset.
About Padel People
Padel People is an independent UK padel operator focused on bringing high-quality, affordable padel to towns and communities often overlooked by larger operators. Through a growing network of clubs across England, the business is making padel more accessible while creating welcoming venues designed for long-term participation. With a proven operating model and a strong pipeline, Padel People is helping shape the next phase of padel's growth in the UK.