Knowsley Council's Cabinet has approved a £2.5 million investment for a new retail and leisure development in Kirkby town centre, including padel courts, despite what a councillor described as “snipes on social media” that are “on a bit of a loser.” The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Details of the Development
The £2.5 million will fund a 32,000 square foot space featuring six to eight padel courts, changing rooms, a café, social space, and community use areas. Padel, a racquet sport combining elements of tennis and squash, is played in doubles on a court enclosed by glass and mesh walls. It uses tennis scoring but allows balls to be played off walls, similar to squash.
The funding comes from Kirkby's £19.5 million Pride in Place award from the government in 2023, to be spent over ten years. A neighbourhood board with an independent chair and local stakeholders, including councillors and residents, developed the proposal. Knowsley Council already had plans to introduce padel, one of the world's fastest-growing sports, and the business case was unanimously approved by the Kirkby Neighbourhood Board in June.
Social Media Backlash
On social media, some residents expressed scepticism. One local said, “They’re going to put millions into something half of the people here have never heard of.” Another questioned the use of public funds: “Seems like a lot of public money when we have two big gyms in the town already that could offer these services privately without spending public money.” Others labelled padel as “aimed at [the] middle class” and noted existing sports centres could host courts. One resident commented, “While I think it’s a good idea, using public money to fund what will be ultimately a private business is not the way to spend Pride in Place funds.” A woman wrote, “Ooh how spiffingly wonderful. Here’s me thinking that we needed more schools. Doctors. Dentists. Oh and a decent shopping centre.”
Independent Cherryfield ward councillor David Hitchmough, while enjoying padel, argued: “The money would be better spent on some of the things urgently needed for the people of Kirkby,” suggesting funding for adult and junior football instead.
Support for the Plans
However, others backed the proposal. One resident said, “I think this is a great idea, can only be good for the community and families, keeps people fit and active, especially teenagers looking for things to do, if run properly, would be excellent.” Another noted, “Padel is booming because it’s relatively easy to play and that applies to all ages. It’s easier than squash, tennis and pickleball. The revenues are very good and there are no plans for David Lloyd Kirkby to introduce it, so KMBC will get in first!”
Council Defends Investment
At the Cabinet meeting, Cherryfield ward councillor Jayne Lonergan said: “I’d like to speak in support of the development. I think it’s a fantastic addition to the town centre. We’ve already done an awful lot, we promised that we’d do more, and this is fulfilling that promise. I know there’ve been some snipes on social media of late from the usual serial objectors who seem to think it’s their duty just to object to everything that the council does. I think that they’re on a bit of a loser with this one. I can see only good things for this development. I think it’ll be embraced by the people in Kirkby and beyond, for the whole of the borough, not just Kirkby. I can’t wait for it to open. It’s going to be a fantastic asset, and it’s going to showcase what is one of the most popular and growing sports in the country. So why wouldn’t we want to have something like that in Kirkby? We’ve got ambition for Kirkby. It would seem that some on social media don’t. I don’t tap into that kind of negativity.”
Cabinet member for regeneration and economic development Tony Brennan said: “This investment is about much more than sport. This is a community-focused development that will provide a welcoming destination where people can meet, socialise, and participate in healthy activities. The facility will support improvements in health and wellbeing, help tackle social isolation, and provide opportunities for people to become more active in an inclusive and supportive environment. And the town centre itself is set to benefit from 300-plus visitors a day that is anticipated to generate once open. To locate this type of use on a business or retail park would quite simply be a lost opportunity in terms of driving footfall back into the town and supporting our businesses.”
The padel courts will be a council-owned asset leased to an operator, who will work with schools and community groups to broaden participation.
