Padel?

So, whats the big deal?

Padel is the fastest growing sport in the UK. There are currently around 350 and the LTA are targeting over 1000 within the next 18 months

The sport is so popular because it is very easy to play – so engagement for beginners is much higher than other racket sports. Furthermore, the length of the rallies is much longer.

It is not a game of power, rather strategy and placement.

The timing of its growth has also coincided with medical evidence suggesting that players playing racket sports live significantly longer!

Clubs and courts

Typically, padel courts are being developed on spare land at existing traffic sites, e.g. hotels and sports clubs, therefore tapping into existing sports enthusiasts.

Unlike tennis, the arranging of games and booking of courts is driven by a big whatsapp culture and market leading booking apps like Matchi and Playtomic.

Commercial viability is based on quality of the environment, local population size and demand and potential for high booking occupancy

Did you know:

  • 3 padel courts take up the same space as 1 tennis court

  • Padel is a doubles only sport, 4 players on court with socialising, competition, community at its core. The inclusive nature of the sport expands addressable market

  • European padel markets average 2.33 courts per 10k population

  • Canopied courts deliver the best lifetime net profit over outdoor and fully indoor

What do we do?

At Solarpadel, we work with landlords and landowners to develop and fund capital expenditure as a joint venture, a partnership or via a tenancy agreement

The income generated through booking fees and energy savings from solar, contributes towards the payback of the initial investment and is shared with the site owner on an ongoing basis.

We only develop courts with roofs

  • So the court roof will host the solar panels to provide the power for lights

We develop the business plan, architectural drawings and handle the planning permission process, so there is very little for the landowner to do and no risk associated.

We typically run a minimum 20 year lease, with the potential to hand over ownership of the courts at the end of the term.

Depending on the site and local market appetite, we aim for a minimum 2 court set up with a solar canopy.

There is the potential for a staged approach for expansion possible e.g. 2 initially up to, say, 5 courts

We aim to be the greenest padel operator in the UK

SolarPadel will:

Operate a maintenance agreement in place for the duration of the term

Set up with major UK booking apps (Playtonic and iMatchi) to ensure high court occupancy

Set up of community engagement manager and coach

Pay for any Legal expenses associated with planning and any associated contracts

Ensure parking and toilet facilities are in place

Run local marketing campaigns, newsletters

Develop opportunities for secondary sales, e.g. food/beverage