Smeda Sports has signed a 10-year lease to convert a warehouse unit in Christchurch into an indoor centre for two of the world’s fastest-growing racquet sports.

Unit 1-2 at Priory Industrial Park spans 15,418 sq ft and includes ground and first-floor offices plus 24 car parking spaces.

It’s now set to house panoramic padel courts and purpose-built acrylic pickleball courts, alongside facilities for tennis, badminton and table tennis and gym equipment.

The centre is planned to open later this month.

Property consultancy Vail Williams, which has an office in Bournemouth, acted for the private owner of the property.

Bryony Thompson, a partner at Vail Williams, said: “We’ve seen a considerable increase in requirements for indoor padel centres in recent months.

“We’re pleased to have been involved with Smeda Sports bringing these two popular racquet sports to Christchurch which will no doubt be incredibly successful.

“Padel is likely to appeal to the more athletically minded, while pickleball, using a paddle and a ball called a wiffle, is accessible for all skill levels and ages.”

Smeda Sports also stocks products for pickleball and padel, as well as sportswear and accessories.

The company is run by two directors, Tania Smeda and Karen Smith.

They said: “Following a significant investment in the warehouse lease and courts conversion, we look forward very much to introducing padel and pickleball to new players in Christchurch, young and old, and creating local employment.

“We’re grateful to Vail Williams for ‘serving up’ a great sporting venue for us here on the South Coast, with the location convenient for customers from the BCP conurbation and New Forest.”

Priory Industrial Park comprises 21 units totalling around 123,000 sq ft, of which Unit 10 is currently available to lease at 11,921 sq ft.

• smedasport.com
• vailwilliams.com