Plan for padel centre in historic factory approved

Part of a historic factory is to become a dedicated centre for a fast-growing racket sport.

Worcester City Council has given Project Padel Ltd permission to develop a padel tennis centre in the old Meco building on Bromyard Road in St John's.

The purpose-built facility will have four courts, changing rooms and a breakout room.

Project Padel said up to six new jobs would be created at the centre.

Padel is a racket sport played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court. It is said to be easy to learn and is generally played as a doubles game.

The firm said the sport "offers the opportunity to exercise but also to socialise, and this unique combination has been a core reason for the growth in popularity".

The development will use existing access points at the old factory site, which is also set to be home to a new 24-hour gym.

Last month, Lidl also announced plans to open a new supermarket on the site.

The Meco factory is well-known in the area and was the scene of the only loss of life in Worcester during World War Two, after being bombed in 1940.

It has been empty since 2023 when the previous owners, the Japanese engineering firm Komatsu, moved out.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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