Padel and Pickleball Centre Proposals
British Garden Centres are preparing a planning application for a new padel and pickleball centre at Albrighton Garden Centre.
Our proposals would include covered padel and pickleball courts, alongside changing rooms, toilets, and equipment rental facilities. The proposals will improve the long-term viability of Albrighton Garden Centre while delivering new jobs and recreation opportunities for the local community.
While British Garden Centres has existing planning permission for warehousing and storage on this land, we believe a new padel and pickleball centre would better serve the Albrighton community by providing a valuable space for sport, recreation, and social connection.
We recognise the importance of engaging and collaborating with local stakeholders and the wider community throughout the planning process. As such, we are encouraging local residents to fill out the feedback form on the 'Have Your Say' page. Your comments will allow us to refine our plans before we submit a planning application to Shropshire Council.
Our plans will include:
- Four covered padel courts
- Four covered pickleball courts
- Additional parking spaces to meet increasing demand at the centre
- New male and female changing facilities including toilets
- Vending machines and equipment rental facilities
- Soft landscaping throughout the site to enhance biodiversity
- An improved and diversified experience for our valued customers
Our indicative Masterplan
Site location plan
What is padel?
Padel is the UK’s fastest growing sport, with participation rising to over 400,000 players in 2025. Played on an enclosed court about one-third the size of a tennis court, padel combines elements of tennis and squash, where players use solid, perforated paddles and can play balls off the surrounding glass walls.
Padel is always played in doubles, making it naturally social and easier to organise games. It is more accessible than tennis for beginners, allowing new players to enjoy rallies quickly while still offering depth and strategy for more experienced players. The smaller court requires less running than tennis, making it suitable for a range of fitness levels and ages, though it still provides quality exercise.
What is pickleball?
Similarly, pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and squash. It's played on a badminton-sized court with a lower net, using solid paddles and a plastic ball with holes. In recent years, pickleball has grown rapidly in popularity, particularly among older adults.
Pickleball is easy to learn, with simple rules that allow beginners to start playing competitively within a few sessions. The smaller court and slower-moving ball make it less physically demanding than tennis, reducing stress on joints while still providing good exercise. It is highly social, typically played in doubles, and the compact court makes conversation easy between points. The combination of moderate physical activity, hand-eye coordination, and social engagement makes pickleball an appealing option for staying active without high-impact strain.
Because of the specialised courts required, there is strong demand for new padel and pickleball venues, with many new facilities currently being constructed across the UK. The nearest padel courts are around 20km away in Wednesbury, demonstrating a need for facilities in the Albrighton area.
Benefits
- New padel and pickleball courts for Albrighton – allowing residents to get involved in the UK’s fastest growing sports
- Promoting multigenerational sport and fitness, encouraging users to stay active and healthy
- Creating new opportunities for social exercise by providing a modern, inclusive sporting facility that allows users to make new connections
- Delivering new job opportunities while safeguarding existing employment in Albrighton
- Protecting the long-term viability of Albrighton Garden Centre
Share your thoughts
Please take a few moments to fill out the form on the 'Have Your Say' page. Sharing your thoughts about our proposals for Albrighton Garden Centre will help us to tailor our plans before we submit a planning application to Shropshire Council.
Please provide your comments before the consultation period ends on 18 February 2026.
