New £850k Padel venue set to open at Asfordby Business Park
A vacant site at Asfordby Business Park is being transformed into an £850k Padel venue with the first players expected on court next month.
Rally Yard Melton will feature four doubles courts and a singles court, alongside a clubhouse with café, bar and terrace and there are plans to extend the offering to include wellbeing activities.
The project is spearheaded by entrepreneur Dan Ross, 34, who caught the Padel bug two years ago and has turned his passion into an almost £1M venture.
The panoramic courts have been imported from Spain, complete with terracotta-coloured turf inspired by the famous clay courts of the French Open.
Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK – a venue has also opened in Scalford this year and two others are due to open in Melton and another at Bottesford.
Mr Ross said of Rally Yard Melton: “We’re already looking at partnerships with local businesses, community events and tournaments, and there is scope for future additions such as wellness facilities, Pilates and a sauna.
"This is the first Rally Yard, but it certainly won’t be the last.”
Players will be able to access the courts from 5am until 11pm thanks to a semi-automated booking and entry system, allowing play to continue long after staff have gone home.
The club will be staffed by part-time club hosts and, eventually, coaches. Court hire will start from £30 per hour on a pay-and-play basis.
Mr Ross, who previously worked in motor trade sales and management before moving into technology, began developing the project last year, working with specialist consultants to raise investment and prepare for growth.
The venture is backed by six investors alongside Dan, including fellow founder Dr Ed Allen and former head of technology at ASOS, Callum Akhtar.
“I’d played squash and tennis for years, but the first time I tried Padel with colleagues I was completely hooked,” said Mr Ross.
"It combines the best elements of both sports and is incredibly social and accessible to all ages and abilities.
"The idea of creating the centre started from that passion and has grown into something much bigger than I ever imagined.”
Go to www.rallyyard.co.uk for more information and to register an interest to play there.