Latest padel plans unveiled for Preston

Tuesday, 6 January 2026 14:33

By Paul Faulkner

Plans have been unveiled to launch another padel venue in Preston – which would become the sixth created in the city in the space of just three years.

The latest venture is proposed for two vacant warehouse-style units off Mercer Street in Fishwick.

A proposal submitted to Preston City Council would see the neighbouring buildings – part of the Fishwick Park development – merged in order to create the new facility.

The popular racket game – often described as the world’s fastest-growing sport – is already on offer at four locations in Preston: on Corporation Street, near the city centre, Caxton Road in Fulwood, the Broughton and District Club, off Whittingham Lane, and at the West View Leisure Centre on Ribbleton Lane.

Padel is also set to feature as part of an indoor sports complex being developed in the former B&Q store off North Road, close to the University of Lancashire.

Documents lodged with town hall planners on behalf of Padel Out Preston Ltd., the applicant for the proposed Fishwick site, describe the area as being “ideal” – because of the “similar types of leisure and exercise facilities” in the vicinity.

Ten courts of varying sizes are proposed in order to accommodate single, double or group games. A viewing area is also part of the plans, along with an exercise/ gym space and café. Fifty parking spaces would be available for players.

Both of the units have planning permission for storage and distribution use, but neither has functioned for that purpose for some time – with one of the premises most recently having been home to the retailer GhostBikes, which moved online only late last year.