Ten more ‘premium’ padel courts are coming to Exeter – along with a bar for players to relax after their matches.
Slazenger Padel Clubs says its new facility is ‘coming soon’ to Unit One on the Haven Banks Retail Park, a location formerly occupied by The Range and more recently the Rediscover Church.
There will be 10 indoor courts, elite coaching and training programs, a pro shop and equipment hire.
A licensing application has also been lodged with the city council for the sale of alcohol, recorded music, films and indoor sporting events from 6am to midnight every day, and for late-night refreshment from 11pm to midnight every day.
Slazenger, whose hashtag says #winningsince1881, boasts more than a century of experience during which it says it has been ‘at the forefront of delivering the highest quality equipment and facilities to athletes worldwide’.
Now, it says, it is bringing the same commitment to the fast-growing sport of padel, a fast-paced racket sport that blends elements of tennis and squash.
It is normally played in doubles on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court, and players can bounce the ball off glass and mesh walls during play.
Padel was invented in Mexico in 1969 and first became popular in Spain. It has attracted legions of celebrity players, from David Beckham to Bradley Walsh via various tennis, football and Formula One stars.

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