Padel club gets green light to sell alcohol

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

West London padel fans will soon be able to enjoy a drink as well as a run-around after a council gave owners the green light to sell alcohol on the premises.

Padel is a racket sport similar to tennis, although it is always played in doubles, and in an enclosed court. Last month Hammersmith and Fulham council approved a four-year premises licence for the Earl’s Court Padel Social Club.

Due to expire on December 31, 2025, the club was granted plans to add five temporary courts to the former Earl’s Court Exhibition Centre, six single and two-storey portacabins to serve food and alcohol, as well as a wellness room and office space. The club has offered free bookings to the local community, with other discounts available to residents.

Alongside the planning submission, Padel Social Club also filed a licensing application, in a bid to secure the right to sell alcohol on-site. At a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday night, councillors voted to approve the submission to run until January 2028, a decision the club says will enable it to roll out its ‘fantastic offering’ to the community.

Co-Founder, Kristian Hunter said: “We are super excited to bring five padel courts and social areas to Earl’s Court, a space with great heritage of sport. The courts and social offering will add a fantastic offering for the local community and a club which will be open to all.”

Pictured top: Padel Social Club said it is “super excited” to bring five padel courts and social areas to Earl’s Court (Picture: Padel Social Club)