How to Set Up a Padel Court in the UK: A Legal Guide

One of the first and most important considerations for setting up a padel court is ensuring that the correct planning permission is in place.

Installing a padel court will involve creating permanent fixtures such as the playing surface, glass walls, canopies, sports lighting features, and fencing, all of which will require planning permission.

Planning permission will also be required if there is to be a material ‘change of use’.

Outdoor courts fall under Class F2(c), and internal courts fall within Class E(d).

If the intention is to re-purpose an existing commercial property that already has planning consent within Class E, there may not be a requirement for a formal change of use.

It is important to engage a planning advisor at the beginning of the project to help identify potential objections and ensure the required permissions are obtained.

Depending on the type of land ownership at the proposed site, a concession or licence agreement may be more appropriate than a traditional lease.

For example, increasing numbers of padel courts are opening up in schools and, due to school land often being owned by local authorities rather than the school itself, occupying the land through a lease may not be viable.

This is where alternative agreements may be explored, as the school may be permitted to grant a padel operator a licence to occupy the space and use it for the purposes of their padel venture, without granting them a legal interest in the land which would require permission from their landlord and in most cases the permission of the Secretary of State for Education.

This will be subject to negotiation with the relevant local authority but may offer a more attractive solution for all parties involved.

Agreeing terms with a booking system provider is an important step to be considered for a new padel venue.  

Using an established system offers credibility and ease of use for customers and increases the visibility of the court to users.  A

ccess to the booking system will usually be subject to a software agreement which should be carefully scrutinised to ensure it is suitable for the proposed arrangement and provides adequate protections for the operator.

It is also important for a padel venue to ensure its compliance with the rules governing data protection as it will be handling the personal data through its booking system and will in many cases have CCTV for security purposes.

Having a clear privacy notice that details a venue’s processing activities, and ensuring that the appropriate legal bases are identified for each data processing activity, are essential steps for ensuring compliance.