Kirkby is set to receive a new £2.5m padel tennis facility, with up to eight courts planned at Newton Gardens in the town centre. The 32,000 sq ft development will include changing facilities, a café and a social space for community use, with the aim of opening by the end of 2027.
Funding and Council Support
In June 2026, the Kirkby Neighbourhood Board committed £2.5m of its Pride in Place funding to the project. Kirkby was awarded £19.5m in Pride and Place funding by the government in 2023 to invest over the next 10 years.
Knowsley Council has also agreed to contribute £2.5m, comprising £2m of capital funding and land valued at around £500,000. The council has described the facility as a “fully accessible space” that will provide a new family leisure offer in the town centre.
Planning and Operator Talks
Cllr Tony Brennan, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said the facility would be sited at Newton Gardens in the heart of the town centre. He said: “We have advanced design and feasibility work and we will be ready to submit a formal planning application very soon.
“We are now also in advance dialogue with our proffered operator who will invest in running the facility.
“Since announcing this project we have received considerable interest from local organizations and individuals who are keen to get involved.
“We will be sharing these details with the operator and we are very keen to look at how we can all work together.
“We are due to formally conclude our working arrangements with the operator and looking forward to sharing further communications on that very shortly.”
Community and Town Centre Ambitions
He added that this new facility was part of the council’s ambition to create a “vibrant, active, and sustainable town centre in Kirkby”.
