This summer we are very excited to announce that planning permission has been granted for Pikup Padel’s flagship 33,400 sq.ft centre at Follingsby Park — confirming the North East’s newest padel venue will open its doors in mid to late July.
The news means that Pikup Padel, which was founded with the ambition of bringing world-class padel facilities to Gateshead, now has the green-light to transform Unit 17B at Follingsby Park into a superb eleven-court padel destination that will become a welcoming home for players across the region.
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and accessible to players of all ages and abilities. So, its fantastic news that Pikup’s new facility at Follingsby Park will be designed with that spirit firmly in mind — perfect for seasoned players and those picking up a racket for the first time, and built to encourage people to connect, play and enjoy the sport together.
The centre is also set to create a range of new jobs, spanning coaching, operations and management — amazing opportunities that will go to local people and build lasting careers in a rapidly growing sports industry. As the team grows, so too will the community around the venue.
For the wider Follingsby Park community, the arrival of Pikup will add a dynamic new dimension to our thriving business park, further cementing the site’s reputation as a commercial hub with real momentum while introducing a shared social space for colleagues, neighbours and visitors.
Pikup is also set to become a popular new facility for the local population. With the site sitting just off the A194(M) and within easy reach of the A1(M), the A19 and the Tyne Tunnel, it will be ideally positioned to attract players from across Gateshead, Sunderland, Newcastle and the wider region — helping to grow a vibrant padel community across the North East.
Commenting on the planning approval, Paddy Kendall, managing director at Pikup Padel, said: “This is the moment we have been working towards. Follingsby Park stood out from the very beginning as a location that reflects our vision — and now we can get on with bringing that vision to life!
“We want to build something entirely unique here in Gateshead. Padel brings people together across generations and skill levels, and we are determined that our venue will be at the heart of a vibrant, growing community. The planning approval is cause for real celebration — and we cannot wait to open our doors this summer.”
With eleven courts housed under one roof, Follingsby Park’s Pikup Padel centre will have the scale to host a full cross-section of ages and abilities as well as corporate events and competitive tournaments — making Gateshead a genuine hub for padel in the North East.
Look out for more news on the launch of Pikup Padel at Follingsby Park in the coming weeks.