Ollo Padel have submitted plans to develop a three-acre leisure destination at The Roundhouse on the edge of the City Centre.
The Leeds-based company hopes to bring the historic and disused Grade II listed Victorian landmark building back into everyday use for the people of Leeds before the end of 2026. This will provide a welcoming, community-led padel and leisure space, as part of the South Bank regeneration zone.
With five covered and four open courts, alongside hospitality and social spaces, retail space, fitness studios, gyms and more, Ollo Padel will be powered by brilliant coaching and warm, welcoming teams who create uplifting, memorable experiences for users.
The plans for the centre have prioritised sustainability, ensuring that facilities include generous cycle parking and EV charging alongside a highly accessible City Centre location designed to encourage walking and public transport use.
With deep ties to the City, the team behind Ollo Padel are working to put Leeds’ communities at the heart of the new centre, with plans for free school coaching lessons, school partnerships and youth development, inclusive programmes for women and juniors, social leagues and community club nights with a pledge to create an accessible, non-intimidating environment for all ages and abilities.
Ollo Padel will be located inside The Roundhouse, a currently vacant and disused Grade II Victorian Landmark opened in 1847 and designed by Thomas Grainger. The three-acre site is a seven-minute walk from Leeds City Centre and is easily accessible by foot, bike and public transport.
The development is expected to create 14 permanent on-site roles, spanning coaching, front-of-house, hospitality and operations, with a strong commitment to local recruitment. The restoration and build programme will also support a significant number of construction and specialist trade jobs, bringing skilled employment and investment to the area.
Ollo Padel will reveal more details for the development, the offer and the timescales for opening over the coming months.
Will Linley, Co-Founder (Founder of Linley & Simpson): “These proposals focus on sensitively bringing one of Leeds’ most iconic buildings back to life — restoring the Roundhouse and creating a place people can enjoy, feel proud of and use as part of everyday city life.
Padel is a brilliant way to bring people together. We’re designing Ollo around the social side of the sport — creating a place that supports both physical and mental wellbeing through movement, play and connection.”
Luke Gidney, Founder, Ollo Padel: “We are so excited about the opportunity to create this centre for Leeds. We’re still at an early stage, and that really matters to us, because it means local residents, businesses and community groups can help shape the plans. We want to listen, learn and make sure the Roundhouse works day to day for the people around it.
It came to our attention that the previous operator withdrew at a very late stage, despite the proposals having been recommended for approval. We’re now re-igniting the Roundhouse opportunity and are extremely pleased to bring this site back to life with a carefully considered, community-focused leisure use. We’re incredibly excited to create a place Leeds can be proud of — somewhere that feels welcoming, social and full of life. A space where people can play, connect and feel part of something special right in the heart of the City.”
The team behind Ollo Padel are interested in hearing from local residents and stakeholders with an open call for Community Feedback open until 27th January. More information on the development and call for feedback can be found here.
Images provided by Ollo Padel.
