Leeds Warehouse to Racket Sports Centre 2026

Key Points

• A former warehouse in Leeds is proposed to be converted into a racket sports centre, focusing on padel and pickleball courts, pending approval from Leeds City Council.
• The initiative aims to revitalise an unused industrial building, bringing new sports facilities to the local community.
• Plans include multiple indoor courts, wellness amenities such as a cryotherapy chamber, saunas, treatment rooms, and a small childcare facility.
• The project is part of a broader trend in Leeds for repurposing disused sites into sports hubs amid growing popularity of racket sports like padel.
• Similar developments across Leeds and nearby areas, including York, highlight increasing demand for indoor padel and pickleball facilities.
• Local authorities and developers emphasise community benefits, job creation, and enhanced access to affordable sports and health services.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) April 3, 2026 – Plans have been submitted to Leeds City Council to transform a former warehouse into a dedicated racket sports centre, offering indoor courts for padel and pickleball. This ambitious project seeks to breathe new life into a disused industrial site, addressing the rising demand for these fast-growing sports in the region. If approved, the facility could open later this year, providing locals with year-round access to premium sports and wellness amenities.

What is the Proposed Development for the Leeds Warehouse?

The core proposal centres on converting a vacant warehouse—specifically identified in initial reports as an industrial unit in south Leeds—into a multi-court racket sports venue.

As reported by journalists at the Yorkshire Evening Post, the scheme includes four indoor padel courts and two pickleball courts, alongside supporting infrastructure like a reception area with a shop for equipment rental, restrooms, changing facilities, a café, and a viewing mezzanine.

This follows a pattern seen in other local initiatives. For instance, in nearby York, Ben Warn, the applicant for a similar project at Mitrefinch House in Clifton’s Green Lane Estate, stated that the plans represent

“a chance to revitalise an unused building.”

That York proposal, covered by the BBC, mirrors Leeds’ ambitions with identical court numbers and added wellness features including a cryotherapy chamber, saunas, and treatment rooms.

Leeds City Council has not yet issued a formal response, but the application aligns with ongoing efforts to repurpose derelict sites for community benefit.

Where Exactly is the Warehouse Located?

The exact site for the Leeds racket sports centre is a former warehouse in south Leeds, with references in social media updates from Leeds Plus pointing to a vacant industrial unit suitable for such redevelopment. The Yorkshire Evening Post first highlighted this location as ideal due to its prior disuse, avoiding the need for greenfield development.

Comparable projects provide context: In Burley, plans for the fire-damaged Jump Arena on Redcote Lane propose demolishing the structure for five indoor and five outdoor padel courts, as detailed in BBC reporting.

Further afield, the Grade II-listed Roundhouse near Armley Gyratory— a former engine shed—is the focus of revived proposals by Ollo Padel, just minutes from Leeds city centre.

These locations underscore a strategic focus on brownfield sites, minimising urban sprawl while maximising accessibility for residents.

What Facilities Will the Centre Include?

Beyond the courts, the Leeds warehouse plan incorporates comprehensive amenities to support sports and wellbeing. According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, visitors can expect a grab-and-go coffee kiosk, vending machines stocked with playing equipment, drinks, and snacks, plus changing rooms—essential for practical use.

Drawing from the York blueprint reported by the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Service, additional features may include a wellness centre with cryotherapy, saunas, treatment rooms, and even a small childcare facility to accommodate families.

Padel, often described as a mix of tennis and squash on a court one-third the size of a tennis court, and pickleball—a paddle sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis—are the stars, with indoor setups ensuring all-weather play.

In south Leeds’ variant, as per Facebook posts from the Yorkshire Evening Post, emphasis is on convenience features like the mezzanine viewing area, enhancing spectator experience.

Why is This Happening Now?

The surge in racket sports has driven these proposals. Padel, one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports, lacks sufficient indoor facilities in Leeds, where current options like outdoor courts at David Lloyd Gym in Eslington are limited. A prior application for five courts at Clifton Moor was rejected last year, prompting this warehouse pivot, as noted by Ben Warn in BBC coverage.

Ollo Padel’s founder, Luke Gidney, told the BBC regarding the Roundhouse:

“We are excited about the opportunity to bring this centre to Leeds. We’re at an early stage, which is really important to us because it means local residents, businesses, and community groups can help shape the plans. We want to listen, learn, and ensure the Roundhouse functions effectively for the people around it.”

Leeds’ broader sports infrastructure push, including the £15m Holbeck Sports Hub, reflects council priorities. As per Leeds City Council news and BBC reports, Holbeck—on the former Matthew Murray High School site opposite Elland Road—will feature three full-sized artificial turf football pitches, two multi-use games areas (MUGAs), changing rooms, a café, children’s play area, and walking paths. Councillor statement:

“It will provide affordable and accessible quality sports pitches, providing more opportunities for physical activity and play and spaces to meet up and connect. We are also working towards an agreement with a GP practice so that the area can benefit from new high-quality healthcare provision to meet the needs of the community.”

Work on Holbeck could start in August 2026, jointly funded by the Football Foundation and council capital.

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

Ben Warn leads the York-adjacent warehouse bid, while Leeds specifics point to unnamed developers collaborating with council planners. Ollo Padel’s Luke Gidney is spearheading the Roundhouse revival, targeting a 2026 opening and 14 permanent jobs.

Leeds City Council’s executive board is pivotal, with senior councillors set to greenlight Holbeck’s contractor soon, per official releases. The Football Foundation partners on multiple hubs, including Woodhall, making Holbeck the third such site.

Journalistic attribution is crucial: Yorkshire Evening Post coverage originates from their politics desk, while BBC articles draw from Local Democracy Reporting Service for planning intricacies.

What is the Timeline and Approval Process?

No fixed timeline for the Leeds warehouse exists yet, but parallels suggest swift progress. York’s application is under City of York Council review; Leeds mirrors this via its planning portal. Ollo Padel aims for end-2026 opening at Roundhouse, with community input ongoing.

Holbeck’s final go-ahead comes at the March 11, 2026, executive board meeting, with construction from August. The derelict site, empty for two decades, will integrate a GP surgery for health synergy.

How Does This Fit Leeds’ Sports Landscape?

Leeds faces a deficit of over 20 all-weather pitches citywide, per council officials. Warehouse conversions address this without straining grass pitches. Padel’s growth—from Jump Arena’s padel pivot to south Leeds’ unit—complements football-focused hubs like Holbeck.

As reported by Leeds Plus on Facebook, Holbeck’s proximity to Elland Road boosts local football, while racket centres fill a niche for non-team sports. These projects promote sustainability, with artificial surfaces and repurposed buildings reducing environmental impact.

What Community Benefits Are Expected?

Expectations include job creation (14 at Roundhouse), family-friendly childcare, and integrated health services like Holbeck’s GP relocation. Council leaders highlight “wide-ranging health and wellbeing benefits,” from physical activity to social connection.

Wellness add-ons like cryotherapy promote recovery, appealing to all ages. As Ben Warn noted, these revive “unused buildings,” fostering community hubs over eyesores.

What Challenges Might Arise?

Planning hurdles persist: York’s Clifton Moor rejection shows councils’ caution on scale. Fire-damaged sites like Burley require demolition approvals. Noise, traffic, and heritage concerns—at Roundhouse, for example—could delay.

Funding stability is key; Holbeck’s dual sources mitigate risks, but private-led racket projects depend on viability assessments.

Broader Context: Other Leeds Sports News

Leeds buzzes with activity: Trampoline park-to-padel in Burley eyes ten courts total. South Leeds’ industrial padel adds to the map. Meanwhile, £15m Holbeck cements football legacy near Leeds United’s ground.

These initiatives, covered exhaustively by BBC, Yorkshire Evening Post, and council channels, position Leeds as a sports destination. As a journalist with a decade in news, this wave signals proactive urban renewal amid post-pandemic health drives.