Since 2020, there has been a growing cultural shift towards social fitness, driven by the rise of health-conscious consumers and desire for human connection in an increasingly isolated post-COVID world. One sport in particular led the social fitness boom, padel. What was initially considered a fad has become the world’s fastest growing sport and has become the go-to social fitness sport in the Cotswolds, with courts continuing to pop up across the region from community courts being built in rural towns/ villages to courts being constructed in some of the Cotswolds most renowned and aspired spots such as Estelle Manor, Soho Farmhouse and Daylesford.

However, it is less common to see standalone padel clubs that aren’t an extension of an already popular destination, which is why the announcement of an eight-court padel club in Eynsham sparked so much buzz on social media and around the Cotswolds.

The project was founded by Paul Allen, whose background lies in luxury hospitality and property management - including leading roles with Virgin Limited Edition at The Lodge in Verbier and Necker Island. Paul has been passionate about creating a high-quality, community-focused sports club ever since moving to West Oxfordshire after returning from Switzerland in 2012. He went on to establish several successful businesses locally, including Luxury Outdoor Living and Luxury Pool Tables, while becoming deeply involved in the area he now calls home. Through playing and coaching, Paul discovered a genuine love for padel and quickly recognised its potential to bring people together, improve wellbeing, and offer something fresh and exciting for local families.