Planning · Updated 5 October 2026
You can fix a weak concept, but it is hard to fix a weak location. Use this checklist before you commit to a lease or purchase.
Accessibility and catchment
How far will players travel? Look at population, workplaces, schools and clubs nearby, and at travel time by car, bike or public transport. Check the position of competing facilities.
Parking and access
Padel is a social sport that often means several players arriving at once. Enough parking, bicycle parking and safe access matter, and so does access for delivery and installation of courts.
Permitted use
Check zoning and whether sport and leisure use is allowed. See what permits you may need.
The building (for indoor centres)
Clear floor area, free height, structure, floor condition, heating and ventilation, power capacity and fire safety. See dimensions and space.
Noise and neighbours
Padel produces ball and glass noise. Distances to homes, operating hours and screening can affect permits for both indoor and outdoor courts.
Lease or purchase terms
Lease length, rent, rent reviews and who pays for what. A strong centre needs enough years on the lease to pay back the investment.
Room to grow
If demand is good, can you add courts later? Sites with room for expansion give you options.
A simple scorecard
Compare candidate sites with the same short scorecard, scoring each from 1 to 5 and noting deal-breakers separately:
| Criterion | What to check |
|---|---|
| Accessibility and catchment | Travel time for your target players; nearby workplaces, schools and clubs |
| Competition | Existing courts nearby and how busy they are |
| Parking and access | Capacity at peak times; delivery and installation access |
| Permits and use | Zoning, noise, lighting, building rules |
| Building / site quality | Space, ceiling height, base, power, heating |
| Lease or purchase terms | Length, rent, reviews, break clauses |
| Growth options | Room for more courts or facilities later |
Do your own demand research
Visit existing courts at different times, speak to players and managers, and check booking pages to see how full evening and weekend slots are. Ask what would make players switch to a new venue. This is more reliable than general market statistics for your specific area.
Red flags
- No clear answer from the authorities on permitted use or noise.
- A short lease for an expensive conversion.
- Insufficient ceiling height or structural limits you cannot change.
- Poor parking or access in the evening, when most play happens.
- A landlord who will not agree to the changes you need.
Before you sign
Make signing conditional on permits where possible, and check the site dimensions against the court layout – see dimensions and space. Send us the site dimensions via our contact page and we tell you which court layout fits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important factor in choosing a padel location?
Accessibility for your target players, together with permission to use the site for sport and enough space for the courts you plan.
Should I sign the lease before I get the permits?
Wherever possible, make the lease or purchase conditional on the permits you need. Ask the authorities what is required before you commit.
Planning a padel facility?
Tell us about your project and we will tell you honestly what we would do next.
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