Work begins on university padel centre

A flagship sports facility based at Birmingham’s Aston University is on course to open in May, the firm behind the project has announced.

University partnership specialist The Padel Loft is currently building three courts on a former temporary car park at the Holt Street site, which it says will be a “step forward” for on-campus sports facilities in Birmingham.

The scheme received planning approval from Birmingham City Council in October.

The submission was accompanied by a supporting letter from the Lawn Tennis Association which said it believed the city had a “clear need for 86 courts in the city” to accommodate to popularity of the growing sport, with only 13 currently in operation.

“We are excited to announce that our flagship facility, in partnership with Aston University, is now under construction and on track to open in May 2026,” said a spokesperson.

“The site will feature three state-of-the-art courts – with potential to expand by an additional two courts – and will become Birmingham’s most central padel hub, serving students, staff, and the wider local community. This is a huge step forward not just for us, but for on-campus sport in the city.

“Beyond Aston, we have continued conversations with universities across the UK and are pleased to confirm that our second university site is now progressing through the planning process for three on-campus courts.”

The scheme is the latest development aiming to fill the Padel gap in Birmingham.

At the end of 2025, Dome Leisure lodged plans to create an 8-court padel complex at a former delivery distribution warehouse on Flaxley Parkway, in Stetchford, which it said would be the largest in the city.

The application was approved in January.