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The Business Magazine July 2024
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Doubles partners turned entrepreneurs plan padel and pickleball hub for Surrey

The Business Magazine article image for: Doubles partners turned entrepreneurs plan padel and pickleball hub for Surrey
Sally Grace and Andre Stachan at the Skechers Pickleball English Open this summer
14 October 2024
Sally Grace and Andre Stachan at the Skechers Pickleball English Open this summer

Farnham in Surrey is set to become the home of Europe’s biggest indoor pickleball and padel club through a £2.5 million transformation of a disused warehouse.

Waverley Borough Council has now granted planning permission for THE HOPP – The Hub of Pickleball and Padel – to renovate and move into the 57,600 sq ft building on Farnham Trading Estate.

The facility will house 10 indoor pickleball courts and four padel courts, as well as social spaces, changing and catering facilities and a club shop.

It’s expected to create more than 25 jobs, with a launch scheduled for mid-2025.

The project is being spearheaded by local entrepreneurs Sally Grace and Andre Strachan, who took home gold in mixed doubles at the Skechers Pickleball English Open this summer.

Sally, a Chawton resident, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that THE HOPP has been given the go-ahead.

“THE HOPP was born out of our passion for pickleball, which is a sporting phenomenon that’s taking over the world and quickly growing in popularity across the South of England.

“And we’re keen to give people across our community the opportunity to experience a fun, accessible and addictive sport which we know is great for all ages and abilities.

“We’ve already been overwhelmed by the positive public reaction to our plans, and we’re excited by the prospect of turning our vision into an exciting reality in Farnham.”

Pickleball is a low-impact game for two to four players, combining elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis on a badminton-sized court.

Padel, a mixture of tennis, squash and badminton, is played as a doubles game on an enclosed court, a third of the size of a tennis court.

But while both sports are growing in popularity, there remains a very limited number of places for fans to meet and play – a trend which prompted Sally and Andre to team up outside the court.

Andre, who lives in Aldershot, added: “There’s a new craze for both padel and pickleball, and we can’t wait to open up THE HOPP’s doors to new players. 

“THE HOPP will be a fantastic family-friendly place for people of all ages with comfortable surroundings to socialise with friends after a game of pickleball or padel.”


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Born and raised in Berkshire, Dan fell into journalism after completing his bachelor’s degree in English at UCL.

Writing for The Business Magazine and local Biz News sites has given him the opportunity to chat with all manner of small business owners and share their success stories with a wider audience.

Outside of work, Dan enjoys live music, board games and quiz shows, and is making a slow but persistent effort to learn Spanish.

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