New padel tennis venue with nine courts and community sessions set for Croydon

Croydon Council has approved planning permission for the new sporting venue, which will be built on the site of the former Royal Mail delivery office, which was demolished in 2022.

The site, at 1-5 Addiscombe Road, has been vacant since 2015.

The planning approval has been granted to Rocket Padel, for 10 years, to transform the unused site into a sporting hub, creating job opportunities in the borough.

Carl Heimdal, co-founder of Rocket Padel, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have secured planning permission for this unique site in East Croydon which will be something truly special for the community.

“Not only will this new venue create a significant number of job opportunities in the area, but it will also introduce thousands of new players to the sport of padel.

“We can’t wait to see this club become a vibrant hub for padel enthusiasts and a fantastic addition to London’s sports scene.”

Padel tennis is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash.

It is played on an enclosed court and the ball can be played off the walls, similar to squash.

The new sporting venue will have six temporary structures which will house nine, enclosed padel courts.

It will have a building for changing rooms and toilets, shop, bar and staff facilities, and four containers outside for the sale of food and drink.

Rocket Padel will host free sessions for local schools, taster sessions for youth organisations, and free hours each year for the wider community, making the venue more accessible.

The site is designated in the longer term for a mixed-use development including a hotel, office, leisure facilities and housing, as part of the wider regeneration of the town centre.

The permission for a padel tennis venue has been granted for up to 10 years, allowing time for plans for a larger development to come forward.

Jason Perry, executive mayor of Croydon, said: “Attracting inward investment into our borough is fundamental to restoring pride in our home town.

“Rocket Padel is a welcome addition to East Croydon – it will transform this unused space into a vibrant sporting venue, whilst ensuring the local community can access the facilities.”