The popular racquet sport of padel is taking off across the globe as well as here in Manchester, so much so, the sport is heading to new heights, quite literally, as a rooftop padel court could be coming to the city. Plans by Padel Social Club (PSC) have been submitted to the local council to build a new, rooftop padel facility situated in possibly one of the strangest locations in Manchester yet – a car park. But this is not just any car park…
In the planning application, the company said: “PSC successfully operates an outdoor social club at Empress Space at their site in Earl’s Court, London. The design of the Manchester layout draws inspiration from this existing space, using it as a precedent.”
Manchester’s strangest padel location yet: a court on top of the AO Arena car park
Following on from the opening of the UK’s largest purpose-built padel facility in Greater Manchester, the latest padel spot that could be coming to the region plans to be located on top of the AO Arena car park. PSC’s plans feature a bid to remove 102 parking spaces and build padel courts and a covered bar, on the top floor of the arena’s multi-storey car park (level four), overlooking Trinity Way.
The planning proposal, currently in the consultation phase, includes five courts in total – two covered, two open-air, and one exhibition court for spectators to watch players. Additionally, the proposal includes a social zone, comprised of converted shipping containers, covered and outdoor seating spaces.
Padel Social Club says the Manchester arena was “specifically designed to accommodate future vertical and horizontal development.”
Around 30 years on from when the Manchester arena first opened, PSC now wants to develop the building further. The padel company said: “Constructed in 1995, the existing structure was purpose-built to provide car parking for the Arena. It is formed of reinforced concrete columns and slab construction, specifically designed to accommodate future vertical and horizontal development.
“This foresight in the original structural design enables the proposed works to be delivered with minimal structural intervention, maintaining the integrity of the existing building while allowing for transformation of the space.”
According to planning documents, the rooftop padel court will be accessible from the lower levels, including access to level two from street level via the pedestrian bridge through Manchester
Victoria Station or from Trinity Way through Trinity Tunnel. There is accessible access via lifts to the entrance.