The Padel Club Expands Across the UK with Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund Backing
A Cheshire-based business specializing in the rapidly growing racket sport of padel has secured eight new sites across the United Kingdom and is planning additional expansion following a significant investment from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. The Padel Club, founded in 2020 by entrepreneur Kris Ball, is set to open new venues in key locations including Brighton, Cardiff, Chester, and Handforth Dean, marking a substantial growth phase for the company.
From Overseas Inspiration to UK Expansion
The journey began when Kris Ball experienced padel while abroad and recognized its potential to gain popularity in the UK. He established The Padel Club with its inaugural site opening in Wilmslow in 2022, which quickly expanded to four locations. In 2024, the company secured a total of £3.8 million in funding, with £1.5 million coming specifically from NPIF II – PXN Equity Finance. This fund is managed by PXN Ventures as part of the larger £660 million Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, providing the financial backbone for the business's ambitious growth plans.
Accelerating Growth and Community Building
Kris Ball, CEO of The Padel Club, emphasized the company's vision, stating, "We saw an opportunity to bring padel to the UK at a time when the sport was still relatively unknown. Starting with just a couple of courts in Wilmslow, our ambition has always been to build a network of clubs that could introduce more people to the game and create a real sense of community around it." He added that the support from NPIF II and PXN has enabled the company to accelerate this vision, allowing for rapid scaling, investment in new sites, and continued promotion of the sport across the country.
Support from Investors and Economic Impact
Louise Chapman at PXN Ventures praised The Padel Club as a standout example of an ambitious, fast-scaling business that is introducing a relatively new sport to communities nationwide. She noted, "From a single site in Wilmslow, Kris has built a strong platform for growth with a clear pipeline of locations and a differentiated, community-led offer. We’re pleased to be supporting their next stage of expansion."
Sue Barnard, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, highlighted the broader impact of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, saying, "Through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, we’re backing ambitious, fast-growing and community-focused businesses that are delivering real impact across the North. Just two years on from its launch, we’re already seeing tangible results, with businesses creating jobs and unlocking new opportunities to support local economies, and The Padel Club is a great example of this."
With this investment, The Padel Club is poised to significantly increase its presence in the UK sports and leisure market, fostering community engagement and contributing to local economic growth through job creation and enhanced recreational facilities.
