Ambitious plans have been formally lodged to transform the rooftop of a multi-storey car park in Sutton Coldfield into a major new racket sports and fitness destination.
Transforming an Underused Space
The owners of the Gracechurch Shopping Centre have submitted a detailed planning application to Birmingham City Council. The proposal aims to convert the largely unused top level of the centre's car park on Brassington Avenue into a vibrant leisure hub. This would see the creation of a dedicated racket sports arena complete with a clubhouse, fitness facilities, a restaurant, and an outdoor terrace.
A key feature of the scheme is the inclusion of four new padel courts encircling a single full-size tennis court. Padel, a rapidly growing sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, will be a primary focus alongside tennis and pickleball. The padel courts will feature characteristic Perspex walls and will be roughly a third the size of a standard tennis court.
Design, Lighting and Parking Impact
To ensure public safety, all courts will be enclosed within 5.2-metre high netting to prevent balls from escaping the rooftop site. The facility will be illuminated by specialised, low-glare LED lighting systems mounted on poles, with automated timers set to switch off at 10pm each night.
The development would result in the loss of 112 parking spaces from the seventh floor of the multi-storey car park. However, planning documents note that this level has been closed to the public since December 2024. A survey indicated the centre's total of 854 bays regularly has over 500 spaces available, with hundreds more public spaces located elsewhere in the town centre.
A Community Hub and Economic Boost
Adjacent to the sporting facilities, plans include a health and fitness club with changing rooms, flexible co-working spaces, and a restaurant area designed to encourage longer visits. The project is forecast to generate up to 15 new jobs and operate seven days a week from 7am until 10pm.
In a supporting statement, PHD architects described the scheme as a "forward-thinking investment" that will turn an "underutilised urban space into a vibrant hub for leisure, wellbeing, and community engagement." They argue it will support active lifestyles, increase town centre footfall, and contribute to Sutton Coldfield's economic vitality.
Local councillor David Pears (Sutton Trinity) welcomed the continued investment, stating: "It's good that they are wanting to continue investing in the town centre. It's good that it's another attraction to bring visitors into the town."
The planning application, registered under number 2025/06396/PA, is now open for public consultation. Residents and stakeholders have until January 7, 2026, to submit their views to Birmingham City Council's planning department.
