A tennis club established in the 1950s is at risk of closure as a proposed development of padel courts could lead to a significant rent increase for its site. Victory Ground Tennis Club, which currently pays £4,000 annually for its two courts, faces a potential rent hike after the landowners received an offer of £25,000 to build four padel courts.
This situation highlights a growing conflict across the UK where the surge in popularity of padel, a sport associated with celebrities such as Prince William and David Beckham, is putting traditional tennis facilities under pressure. Critics argue that the expansion of padel leads to the loss of established tennis venues, while some residents near new padel courts have raised concerns about noise levels, describing them as resembling 'gunshot' sounds and accompanied by loud player exclamations.
Padel, which originated in Mexico in 1969, is described as the world's fastest-growing sport. It is played on a smaller court than tennis, enclosed by glass and mesh walls, and is exclusively played as doubles. Supporters contend that padel is more accessible than tennis, emphasizing tactics over power.
Steve Daniel, a spokesperson for Victory Ground Tennis Club, stated that the potential change represents the loss of a community sports facility being replaced by a 'money-making venture.' With approximately 180 members, including a third under the age of 18, the club is determined to fight for its existence but acknowledges financial limitations. Daniel also noted that padel's long-term viability is uncertain compared to tennis, which has centuries of history.
He suggested that padel courts could potentially be integrated elsewhere within the Victory Sports Ground, which hosts various other facilities including football and cricket pitches, a sports hall, a dance studio, a croquet club, and a pavilion. The sports ground itself, founded 106 years ago, was originally gifted by a director of Greene King Brewery and has been managed by a volunteer-run Community Interest Company since 1975.
Paul Whittaker, a director of Victory Sports Ground CIC and chairman of Bury St Edmunds Cricket Club, confirmed that a 'national organisation' had made an offer to invest 'hundreds of thousands' in constructing padel courts. However, he declined to name the organization due to a non-disclosure agreement and disputed the reported £25,000 rent figure, though he did not provide an alternative amount. Whittaker explained that the facility needs to secure 'sufficient income' as it incurred a financial loss last year, despite an overall income of approximately £50,000. He also mentioned a decline in council grants, which previously provided significant support.
Whittaker stated that the club had discussed the financial situation with the tennis club, noting that their existing rent was minimal. He also indicated that the club had offered the tennis club a long-term lease, which would enable them to seek funding from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). According to Whittaker, the tennis club's counter-proposal of an additional £500 per year was 'pretty ridiculous.' He added that there are other tennis facilities in the town, including one with 13 courts.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) expressed its desire for both sports to coexist and does not support the replacement of existing tennis courts with padel facilities, particularly where tennis participation is strong. The LTA hopes for a resolution that would allow for the retention of the tennis courts while accommodating new padel facilities.
The popularity of padel has surged, with an estimated 400,000 players in Britain as of last year, a significant increase from 15,000 in 2019, supported by over £6 million in LTA investment. However, this growth has been met with opposition, including from tennis champion Novak Djokovic, who has voiced concerns about his sport becoming 'endangered.'
Reports from other areas detail similar issues. Residents near a club in Bromsgrove experienced noise disturbances, leading to a Noise Abatement Notice and substantial legal costs for the club. Homeowners in Winchester have complained about loud noises and foul language from padel courts. In Harrogate, residents have reported disruptive noise from padel courts built near protected woodland, contrasting it with the quieter tennis facilities previously on site. Plans to replace tennis courts at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London with padel courts were also halted following public backlash, including a petition with over 2,000 signatures.