Key Points
- Application submitted by Social Sports Society House of Sport to convert the fifth floor of The Liberty’s Romford car park into a padel sports centre.
- The new facility would feature six padel courts, two canopies, a clubhouse, and changing rooms.
- The car park is a five-storey structure with 800 parking spaces, 155 of them on the top floor.
- The proposed development forms part of wider plans for The Liberty Shopping Centre’s potential redevelopment by owners Redical Ltd, including up to 800 new homes.
- The centre aims to promote social activities that support mental and physical health.
- Social Sports Society operates other sites in Wembley, Brent Cross, and Sutton, with plans for new locations in Manchester, Derby, and Bangor in 2026.
- The Romford venue will provide high-quality courts alongside social spaces for competitive play and community engagement.
- Proposed opening hours are 7am to 11pm, with peak times between 7am-10am and 5pm-11pm.
- At least 10 hours per week of free or discounted sports activities will be offered to community members.
- A decision from Havering Council on the application is expected by December 17.
What is being proposed for the top floor of The Liberty car park in Romford?
As reported by a journalist from Romford Recorder, Social Sports Society House of Sport submitted an application in late October to convert the fifth, or top, floor of the five-storey car park at The Liberty Shopping Centre into a purpose-built padel sports centre. This includes six courts, two canopies, a clubhouse, and changing facilities. The current car park holds 800 spaces, with 155 spaces located on the top floor where the padel courts are intended to be constructed.
What is the wider context of The Liberty Shopping Centre redevelopment?
The proposed padel venue is part of a wider plan by the centre’s owners, Redical Ltd, who made a request for a screening opinion on redevelopment plans in September. These plans involve constructing up to 800 new homes across three plots at the site. The first plot on Western Road could see around 400 homes in three buildings, along with retail opportunities at ground floor level. While the central shopping core is to be retained, significant redevelopment of Stewards Walk and repositioning of The Liberty’s Western Road entrance are included to create public space.
Who is Social Sports Society and what are their plans for the new centre?
Social Sports Society describes itself as an organisation dedicated to bringing people from different backgrounds together through social sports activities designed to boost physical and mental health and happiness. They currently run facilities in Wembley, Brent Cross, and Sutton. The Society has ambitious plans to expand with new sites scheduled to open in 2026 in Manchester, Derby, and Bangor. For the Romford venue, they plan to combine high-quality padel courts with inviting social spaces suitable for competitive play, families, schools, and businesses within the local community.
What is padel and why is it significant to this development?
Social Sports Society defines padel as a hybrid sport combining elements of tennis and squash. It is gaining popularity for its accessibility and social nature. The Romford centre aims to capitalise on this trend by providing a premium venue that serves diverse community groups, promoting both competitive and recreational play.
What are the planned operating hours and community benefits?
The proposed operating hours for the padel centre are from 7am to 11pm daily, with the busiest periods expected between 7am-10am and 5pm-11pm. In addition to commercial uses, the planning statement affirms a commitment to community access. It includes offering free play to those who would otherwise be excluded, along with a guarantee of at least ten hours per week of free or discounted sports and activities for local residents and groups.
When will a decision be made and what is the next step?
Havering Council is expected to reach a decision on the planning application by December 17. The outcome will determine whether Social Sports Society can proceed with converting the fifth floor of the car park into one of the borough’s first integrated padel sports venues as part of the evolving Liberty Shopping Centre site.
