Padel court proves a successful addition for Hexham Tennis Club
A padel court at Hexham Tennis Club has proved hugely popular since its opening just over a year ago.
More than 750 players who have never picked up a padel racquet before have attended.
Club chairman Vince Burini said: “It’s safe to say we’re all pleasantly surprised at the success of the padel court. We’ve been inundated with bookings since it opened!”
The court was initially proposed as a means of generating additional revenue for the tennis club, which struggled with falling membership numbers.
By offering padel as an easier alternative to tennis, the club could reach a wider audience as a community padel hub.
A successful grant application saw the club awarded £79,000 to fund the padel court. However, as construction got underway in late 2021, numerous hurdles pushed the total cost up to £115,000.
“We started looking for a sponsor to cover some of the additional costs. We’re lucky to have a beautiful ground, so it was important to find a brand that matched the setting and aligned with our ethos of ‘sport for all.’
"As an established firm with a strong community focus, Cartmell Shepherd was the perfect fit. The additional funding we received, along with a few other private donations, just got us over the line.”
Ladies Team Captain, Caroline Armstrong, said: “Typically, padel is most popular among young men, so from the outset we wanted to encourage as many women as possible to get involved.
"We appointed a coach and created some taster sessions which were a huge success. Our women’s WhatsApp group now has over 50 members, in addition to our men’s group, and we’ve been able to run both men’s and ladies’ tournaments.”
As well as benefitting the local community, the court has injected some much-needed cash into the club.
Vince continued: “Padel court bookings have provided us with a steady income, which we’ve used to create safe pathing and lighting for the padel, and refurbish our other facilities. It’s put us on a stable footing, which we can continue to build from.”
Cartmell Shepherd employs nearly 130 staff across Northumberland and Cumbria.
Following amalgamation with Hexham-based Nicholson Portnell Solicitors in 2024, the law firm now offers a larger range of services locally.
Joanne Stronach, managing director of Cartmell Shepherd said: “We’re delighted with the impact the padel court has had just a year after opening, inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to get active. The facilities are exceptional and many of our own team have enjoyed playing after work.”