Read the original Press Release from the Liverpool Echo
The new facility is said to be a “major milestone”.
A first of its kind is coming to Merseyside as Soul Padel prepares to launch courts in St Helens. Set to take over Queens Park Recreation Ground, Boundary Road, the facility will feature four canopy-covered courts and a modern clubhouse – “marking a major milestone in the regeneration of the area”.
Played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, your padel shots are hit off the surrounding walls, like in squash, to find wicked angles and creative shots to beat your opponents. The innovative sport, is said to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the Northwest, thanks to the social side of it.
This will be Soul Padel’s second site in the UK. The new facility, opening in partnership with the local authorities, is located just off the M6, making it easily accessible to all.
Founder Mark Hewlett told the ECHO: “We are thrilled to bring padel to St Helen’s and be part of the town’s ongoing regeneration efforts. This site will be the only covered padel club in Merseyside, and we’re excited to welcome players from across the region and beyond.”
The project, which will see underutilised basketball courts transformed into a sporting hub, highlights St Helen’s investment in community recreation. With the leisure centre just a stone’s throw away, the new facility promises to integrate closely with the town centre and offer a fun, social, and physically engaging experience.
St Helens Borough Council cabinet member, Cllr Kate Groucutt, said: “We are delighted to see a business like Soul Padel choosing to invest here in St Helens Borough. As a borough, we see higher participation rates in team sports than anywhere else in the country, and with a strong sporting heritage.
“It is great to see new opportunities to encourage more people to get active, particularly with Soul Padel’s mission to make this growing sport more accessible and affordable, coming to our borough.
The facility is expected to open in early Spring 2025. The news comes after Soul Padel recently announced its partnership with Liverpool’s sports brand, Applied Nutrition. Being the company’s official hydration and nutrition partner means Applied Nutrition will provide products designed to support the performance and well-being of padel players across the UK.
