Padel popularity sparks Sunderland expansion

A sports and leisure venue is gearing up for growth in Sunderland as demand for padel continues to surge across the UK.

True Padel Sunderland has agreed a significant expansion at Wessington Retail Park, enabling the club to grow into one of the largest indoor padel centres in the country. 

The move follows a standout first year that has seen the venue quickly establish itself as one of the North East’s fastest-growing community sports destinations.

The club currently operates from a 23,000sq ft unit at the Adderstone Group-owned retail park, featuring seven courts alongside café, lounge and function spaces. 

Under the expansion plans, True Padel will take over the adjacent unit, increasing its footprint to more than 33,000sq ft. 

This will allow for the addition of four new courts, taking the total to eleven, alongside the introduction of specialist padel physiotherapy services.

Once completed in spring 2026, the development will make True Padel Sunderland the largest dedicated indoor padel club in the North East and one of the largest in the UK. 

Adam Carr, director of True Padel and co-founder of the business alongside his brother Alex, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Adderstone.  

“They are passionate about supporting our expansion and get padel and its potential.  

“This latest development will take us up to 20 indoor courts in the North East with more plans in the pipeline. 

“It’s so rewarding for everyone involved to be introducing literally thousands of people in communities all over the region to the fastest growing new sport in the world”

Since opening, more than 10,000 people have tried the sport at the venue, with around 1000 becoming regular players, creating a thriving local community.

Ian Baggett, founder and chief executive of Adderstone Group, who is a former GB seniors’ tennis player, added: “Adam and Alex are a real class act and quietly building one of the best padel businesses in the UK from a North East base.  

“Their backhands are still a bit erratic, so I’ve told them that I’m prepared to settle the first rent review on the back of a three-set-match!”

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