Padel4all: Council to debate giving premises licence at Fareham Leisure Centre for padel network

Padel is a sport that is growing exponentially in popularity, which is often described as a mix between tennis and squash.

Played almost exclusively in doubles, the ball needs to bounce twice in the opposing half of the court to score. Rallies can be extended by bouncing the ball off the walls, and scoring is counted up the exact same way as tennis.

Now, a nationwide padel club is expanding into Fareham, having already secured planning permission for new courts, and installing them at the time of publication. All of this is subject to securing a premises licence from the borough council.

On Tuesday, April 21, the council’s licensing panel will meet to debate whether or not the licence will be granted. This does include the ability to sell alcohol on the premises.

Writing to the council, local resident Georgina Wise said: “There is a child's play park next door and a skate park that already attracts anti-social behaviour in the area through drinking and drugs.

“While I understand that the bowling green has a licence for alcohol it is a members and invited guests area only and they are shielded from the children's play area via a tall thick hedge should any drinkers choose to step outside to partake in smoking activities with their drinks.”

Another submission, addressed from Krist and River Will, added: “We don't see the need for another licensed premises even with the use of booking for functions as there are already plenty of places that can fulfil that requirement in Fareham.

“The recreation ground is already under a public spaces protection order and whilst the bowling club has a license, it is for members only and those members who drink do so within the confines of the club. My understanding of the padel area is that it will not require a membership and as such anyone will be able to access the facilities.”

Responding to these representations, Luke Bedwell, group operations manager for Padel4all, said: “We are working closely with the local Everyone Active leisure provider and the council to proactively provide an enhanced community space for individuals, groups and communities of all ages. The council has assured me that the premises licence application will be provided to all relevant authorities, including the police, as this is standard practice.

“The padel centre itself will be equipped with CCTV cameras that will be externally monitored (by a trusted external company), covering the site itself and immediate surrounding areas. In case of any anti-social behaviour, the centre manager will be alerted, who would then liaise with the appropriate authorities.

“The sale of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks and confectionery will be for the consumption of padel players only and is to be consumed on the premises, much like the bowls club. The design of the premises means that customers have to enter and leave through the office, where there will be a member of staff present. This will prohibit customers wandering off the premises with an alcoholic beverage in their possession.

“It’s also worth noting that padel players will require an account to book their courts and sessions, and therefore we shall have a log of attendance.”