Refurbishment Works Completed on Unit 17B
The North-East is to see a brand new 33,400 sq ft sports venue open this summer at a premier Tyneside business park.
Pikup Padel will open its first ever flagship facility at the 110-acre Follingsby Park in Gateshead, after signing a 10-year lease on Unit 17B.
Padel has seen explosive growth across the UK, and the arrival of Pikup Padel firmly positions Gateshead as a key player in this national surge. Combining elements of tennis and squash, the sport is played in an enclosed court and is most commonly played in doubles. However, singles matches will also be supported by the 11 high-quality courts created at the new venue.
The flagship site’s supporting facilities are intended to ensure all abilities can benefit from becoming part of a vibrant panel community in Gateshead, which Pikup Padel hopes will become a key player in the national rise in enthusiasm for the game.
The opening will also deliver new jobs, from coaching to operational and management roles.
“Launching our first-ever site was a major decision, and Follingsby Park immediately stood out as a location that reflects our vision for the sport, while enabling us to become part of a dynamic and growing business community”.
Paddy Kendall- Managing Director, Pikup Padel
Other occupiers within the Follingsby Park community include industrial paint supplier Rust-Oleum, logistics firm Whistl, data shredding company Restore, and packaging supplier Kite. The new facility underscores Follingsby Park’s continued momentum as a destination for employment, growth and innovation, delivering long-term benefits for the wider Gateshead area.
Located just off the A194(M), the A19 and the Tyne Tunnel, doors at the new facility are set to open in summer 2026.
“We’re excited to bring panel to Gateshead and to create something entirely unique here”.
Paddy Kendall- Managing Director, Pikup Padel
Cortex Partners advised Westbrook on the acquisition. JLL acted for Legal & General.
Westbrook has appointed HTA Real Estate and Avison Young as joint letting agents on Follingsby Park.