Soul Padel secures approval for new Peston padel centre at the University of Lancashire

Plans for a new padel centre in Preston have been given the green light.

Soul Padel has secured planning permission for a new community padel club at the University of Lancashire Sports Arena, marking another milestone in the company's ambitionto make padel accessible to more people across the UK.

Developed in partnership with the University of Lancashire, the new venue will feature four covered outdoor padel courts and a clubhouse, creating a destination where students, staff, local clubs and the wider public can enjoy one of the world's fastest-growingsports in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

The project will now move into the detailed design and procurement phase, with the club expected to open during the second quarter of 2027.

The Preston development builds on the success of Soul Padel's first on-campus padel facility at Loughborough University, which opened in early 2025.

The firm saty the courts at Loughborough have proved a huge success, demonstrating the growing demand for accessible, community-focused padel facilities on university campuses and providing a blueprint for future partnerships.

While located on the University's Sports Arena site, the new club will not be a private university facility, unstead, it will operate as a community club, welcoming everyone from complete beginners to experienced players.

With no membership fees or priority booking tiers, the club will offer a simple pay-and-play model, making it easy for anyone to get involved.

Soul Padel says that Preston was identified as an ideal location for their continued expansion “thanks to its ambitious outlook, vibrant student population and growing appetite for new sporting and social experiences.

By partnering with the University of Lancashire, the firm says the new club will be place at the heart of an established sporting community while creating opportunities for students, staff and local residents to play together.

Beyond the four courts, the club hopes to become a hub for community activity.

Soul Padel plans to deliver coaching, leagues and social sessions, alongside dedicated initiatives including Soul Sisters, helping more women discover the sport, and Soul Timers, encouraging older adults to stay active and socially connected.

The company will also support the University's BUCS programme and work with local schools and charities to ensure more people have the opportunity to experience padel.

Mark Hewlett, CEO and Founder of Soul Padel, said: "Securing planning permission is a significant milestone and we're delighted to be bringingSoul Padel to Preston in partnership with the University of Lancashire. We've seen at Loughborough how quickly padel can become part of campus life while also bringing the wider community together. That's exactly what we hope to achieve in Preston.

“We want this to be much more than a place to book a court. We want it to become a community where people of all ages and abilities can meet, play and connect. Whether someone is picking up a racket for the first time or already loves the game, they'll find a welcoming environment with great facilities, inclusive programmes and opportunities to make new friends through sport. That's what Soul Padel is all about."

The firm beleives that padel is uniquely placed to bring people together, combining physical activity with social interaction in a format that is easy to learn and enjoyable for players of all ages and abilities.

By creating welcoming clubs and removing barriers to participation, Soul Padel says it is helping more people discover a sport that supports both physical and mental wellbeing while strengthening local communities.

As the Preston project moves into its next phase, Soul Padel will continue working closely with the University of Lancashire ahead of construction, with further updates on the development and opening date to be announced in due course.