A proposed new padel centre could help boost interest in the rapidly growing sport in Stoke-on-Trent.

Plans have been submitted for an indoor padel facility on vacant land off College Road, Shelton, previously occupied by Stoke-on-Trent College.

The centre would feature eight padel courts – six double and two single – along with changing facilities and a small cafe.

Padel is similar to tennis but is played with solid, perforated rackets, and the ball can be played off the walls surrounding the court, like in squash.

The sport has been around since the 1960s but its popularity around the world increased massively during the pandemic.

According to the International Padel Federation, the sport now has 30 million players in 145 countries.

Court de Padel, the company behind the Shelton plans, currently runs a similar facility in Norwich.

The application states: "The building will complement the neighbouring Stoke College buildings as its use is mainly aimed at a younger demographic as one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

"We are also aiming to improve the quality of life for people who live and study in Stoke with the introduction of the padel courts which will be some of the first provided in the region.

"We want to ensure that the development maintains the character and identity of the area but also adds to it positively."

The proposed facility would be a 'warehouse-style' building with steel sheet cladding.

Vehicular access to the centre would be via the existing entrance off College Road, and there would be 34 parking spaces.

The plans have received the support of the Lawn Tennis Association, which sees padel as a way of boosting participation in tennis.

A letter from the LTA states: "The additional facilities will significantly enhance the development of the sport in the local area and provide further access to the local community. The current demand for the sport indicates that there is need for increased provision.

"Further to this, padel forms an integral part of the LTA's plans to develop tennis within the area, including the recent funded court refurbishments at several park sites in the Stoke-on-Trent area."

There are currently a few padel facilities elsewhere in Staffordshire, including two indoor courts at Draycott Sports Centre. Newcastle-based Ace Padel is in the process of opening padel courts at Cobridge and Milton.