Berkeley teams up with Andy Murray-backed padel operator

Berkeley Group has partnered with Andy Murray-backed padel operator Game4Padel to introduce padel courts to its schemes, the first major residential developer to do so. The first location to install the facilities is Berkeley’s West London Green Quarter development, in Southall. Three courts are set to open in spring this year. Game4Padel said that because the sport is sociable and accessible, padel has been used to help create communities in other areas around the UK, including a court developed in Tower Hill by Game4Padel and the Central London Alliance to help regenerate the City, post-Covid. At Bloom Heathrow and Edinburgh Park Parabola – business parks in West London and Edinburgh respectively – Game4Padel has installed and operates padel clubs to help build networks with local businesses. Game4Padel’s investors include sports personalities Andy and Jamie Murray, Virgil van Dijk, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jamie Vardy and Annabel Croft. Game4Padel chief executive Michael Gradon called the Berkeley deal a “game-changing partnership”. He added that the operator has ambitious plans and funding in place for expansion. It has 23 venues in the UK and overseas, with a longer-term goal to reach nearly 400 UK courts in the next three years. Gradon said: “This first project with the Berkeley Group is exciting because the potential to introduce padel across its residential developments could mean a much faster roll out of the sport, helping us achieve our goal of nearly 400 padel courts in the UK by 2027.” Berkeley Group operations director James Purton said: “Padel has proven to be more than just a sport – it’s a catalyst for creating vibrant communities and fostering social connections.” Padel operators have described a “race for space” in recent months as demand for the sport grows. Photo © Game4Padel