Want to play padel at 3am? You’ll have to head to Bolton as the Greater Manchester town is set to offer courts at all hours of the day.
An industrial unit at Bolton Central Business Park on Nelson Street is set to be repurposed and transformed to host five indoor padel courts, run by Padel Bolton Ltd.
Alongside the padel courts, players will be able to catch up in a reception area and social lounge, as well as the site having accessible toilets.
The 2,340 square metre venue will be open to the public seven days a week, offering padel round the clock to players, specifically targeting night shift workers, students and flexible social groups.
Bolton Council are set to discuss the change of use application in the upcoming weeks, with pre-booked sessions and controlled access to the venue seemingly a positive move for the centre.
In a recent planning statement, it was revealed that the applicant was involved in the founding of Just Padel Preston, Lancashire’s first purpose-built padel venue.
First opening in early 2025, Just Padel Preston was built inside the Staples Office Outlet on Corporation Street, repurposing another vacant building.
The statement goes on to say: “The proposal seeks to establish the first purpose-built indoor padel tennis facility in Bolton, a project that will contribute to the borough’s health, well-being, regeneration, and economic objectives.
“Since opening, that [Preston] site has seen overwhelming public engagement, consistent court occupancy, and positive uptake from across the region.
“With demand for padel rising nationally, and no existing provision in Bolton, this proposal offers a strategic opportunity to bring the sport to a new audience and transform a dormant site into a valuable community asset.
“The proposed development involves the conversion of an existing vacant industrial unit into a high-quality indoor padel facility with five full-size courts, a reception area, social lounge, accessible toilets, and new signage.
“The proposal includes a request for 24-hour operation based on the success of this model in Preston, supported by an appropriate security and management framework.
“The building’s location, paired with appropriate security measures, including, 24-hour CCTV, staffing and an online booking system ensures that 24-hour use will not give rise to amenity or security concerns.”
