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Blog
Padel has quickly become one of the most exciting growth stories in UK fitness, and few names have embraced all-weather padel with quite the same ambition as gym giants David Lloyd…
Following the runaway success of its first phase of all-weather padel courts at its Emersons Green, Northwood and Farnham sites, the gym giant returned to us to deliver phase two of its nationwide padel rollout. This second phase in David Lloyds’ rollout marks a significant step forward, extending year-round padel facilites beyond the South-East and introducing covered padel courts in Derby, Milton Keynes, Newbury and Dublin.
For fitness and health providers, the appeal of all-weather padel is clear. Unlike uncovered courts, canopied padel facilities protect playing time, revenue and member satisfaction throughout the year. Rain, frost, wind, snow and fading winter light no longer dictate whether courts can be used – meaning higher utilisation, stronger secondary spend, better value for members and a more premium year-round experience.
Our specialist padel team work side-by-side with our in-house designers which has allowed us to deliver bespoke canopy solutions for David Lloyds’ ambitious padel rollout. By tailoring every structure to its surroundings, we helped the gym giant maximise available space while rolling out new facilities at pace – a crucial factor for national operators balancing speed, quality and consistency.
Just one year on from David Lloyd’s initial launch into padel, we’ve now supported the rollout of all-weather courts across seven sites and the results speak for themselves. Memberships up, courts fully booked and demand for further covered padel facilities continuing to grow.
Each padel court canopy delivered to date has been designed with a generous 6.5m eaves height to create a light-filled, open feel for players. Distinctive black and orange court surfacing delivers a bold visual identity, while integrated floodlighting allows the famous social sport to continue long after sunset. Our unique Opal 60 roofing brings in 60% daylight penetration, keeping courts bright and welcoming even on grey days, while open-sided structures maintain a strong connection to the outdoors.
For fitness brands looking to future-proof their offering, all-weather padel isn’t just an add-on – it’s a proven driver of engagement, revenue and year-round appeal. And when a market leader like David Lloyd invests twice – nationwide – it’s clear this a trend with staying power.
If you’re inspired get in touch today to book your complimentary site visit. Who knows? 2026 could be the year that you get to see just what year-round padel can do for you!
