Padel operator shortlisted for Scale-Up of the Year at the 2027 North West Growth Awards following a year of significant financial growth, investment and expansion.
Soul Padel has been shortlisted for Scale-Up of the Year (up to £3m) at the 2027 North West Growth Awards, recognising the company’s rapid development from a start-up with two temporary courts into a growing national padel operator.
Founded in December 2023 by Lancashire-based entrepreneur Mark Hewlett, Soul Padel has built its business around a simple ambition, to make padel more affordable, accessible and inclusive, bringing the sport to towns and communities across the UK.
The shortlisting follows a period of significant growth for the business, which now operates 16 courts across four clubs in Stockport, St Helens, Braehead and Loughborough University.
During the first eight months of 2026, Soul Padel increased revenue by 179% compared with the same period in 2025, while gross profit grew by 231%. Its established clubs are profitable, with average court utilisation across the group consistently exceeding 80% throughout the week.
In September, Soul Padel secured £3.6 million of investment at a £30 million valuation, providing the funding to accelerate its expansion from four to ten clubs over the next 12 months.
Six new clubs, in Ayr, Washington, Warrington, Preston, Wigan and Rochdale, have already secured planning permission, with construction under way in Warrington.
Mark Hewlett, Founder and CEO of Soul Padel, said:
“To be shortlisted for Scale-Up of the Year is a fantastic recognition of what our team has achieved in a relatively short space of time.
“When we started Soul Padel, we believed there was an opportunity to build something different. We wanted to take a sport that people absolutely love and make it accessible to more people, in more communities, without compromising on the quality of the experience.
“The past two years have been about proving that model, building clubs that people want to play at, creating strong local communities and making sure the business is financially sustainable.
“We’ve now reached a really exciting point. We’ve secured the investment, built the team and developed a pipeline that gives us the confidence to accelerate our growth. But what matters most is that we continue to make padel a sport for everyone as we grow.
“This recognition is a credit to everyone who has helped us get here, from our team and partners to the thousands of players who have become part of the Soul Padel community.”
Alongside its commercial growth, Soul Padel has continued to invest in programmes designed to encourage participation and make the sport more inclusive.
Its What’s That Racket? schools initiative has introduced more than 2,500 children to padel, while Soul Sisters, Soul Timers and Youth Club provide opportunities for women, over-50s and younger players to get involved.
The company’s Soul Mates loyalty programme has also grown to more than 14,000 members, helping Soul Padel understand its players and strengthen the communities developing around its clubs.
The North West Growth Awards, organised by TheBusinessDesk.com, celebrate businesses and individuals demonstrating growth and ambition across the region.
Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at The Midland Hotel in Manchester on 11 March 2027.
For Soul Padel, the shortlisting marks another milestone on its journey towards its long-term ambition of operating 250 courts nationwide by 2032, creating more places for people to meet, play and connect.
About Soul Padel
Founded in December 2023 by Mark Hewlett, Soul Padel is a UK padel operator on a mission to make the sport more affordable, accessible and inclusive.
With clubs in Stockport, St Helens, Braehead and Loughborough University, and an expanding pipeline of new locations, Soul Padel is building a national network of high-quality, community-focused padel facilities.
Through innovative partnerships, inclusive participation programmes and a commitment to welcoming everyone to the court, Soul Padel aims to make padel a sport for everyone, creating places where people of all ages and abilities can meet, play and connect.
Media enquiries:
Mark Hewlett
Email: mark@soulpadel.co.uk
Phone: 07961310078
Website: soulpadel.co.uk
