A new sports and social venue, Padelsphere, is set to open in Blyth this summer, marking the first time the fast-growing racket sport of padel will be available in Northumberland.

Located at Unit F, Progressive Court, Spencer Road, the 10,000 sq ft indoor facility is scheduled to open between late July and early August 2026. The venue will feature three panoramic glass courts—two for doubles and one for singles—complemented by a licensed bar, café, lounge areas, and changing rooms equipped with saunas.

Padel, which blends elements of tennis and squash, has seen rapid expansion across the UK. Padelsphere aims to serve a local catchment area of more than 80,000 residents, providing a local alternative for players who currently travel up to 45 minutes to reach courts in Newcastle or Durham.

Akshay Ohari, Founder and CEO said: “We built Padelsphere because Northumberland deserved a proper home for this sport. Padel is the most fun you can have with a racket in your hand, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never played a sport in your life or if you’re already competitive, everyone has a great time.”

The project has been supported by Business Northumberland, the county council’s business support service. Assistance has included networking opportunities, promotion within the Energy Central renewable energy cluster, and guidance on recruitment.

“Business Northumberland have been brilliant. They’ve been genuinely enthusiastic about what we’re building from day one,” the Akshay added. “From promoting us within their networks to helping us connect with other local businesses, having that level of support behind us has made a real difference.”

The launch aligns with a wider period of economic regeneration in the town, including the Energising Blyth programme, the development of the Energy Central Campus, and the restoration of the Northumberland Line.

Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Northumberland County Council said: “This is a great addition to Northumberland, and Blyth in particular, and we're pleased to have been able to support Padelshere

"This is an exciting time for Blyth as the town continues to flourish - drawing in many new and innovative businesses."

Akshay added “Blyth is the perfect location for us, the town is going through an incredible period of change and we’re proud to be part of that story. We hope Padelsphere shows that ambitious new businesses can thrive here.”

Beyond court rentals, Padelsphere intends to function as a social hub. The business has outlined community-focused plans including junior coaching programmes, school partnerships, holiday camps, and inclusive sessions for local groups, including a veterans’ charity.

The facility will be open from 7am to 11pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 10pm at weekends. Bookings will be managed via the Playtomic platform, with walk-in sessions available depending on demand.