Padium has just celebrated its one-year anniversary. There used to be a saying that went ‘a year’s a long time in politics’. Well, in padel, a year, today, seems much longer, so is the extent of change in the padel industry in the UK, a nation with a proud racket sport heritage and, it would seem, a bright future if Houman Ashrafzadeh’s luxurious Padium facility is anything to go by, that is.
Since its opening in London’s famous Canary Wharf district in August 2023, Padium has transformed the UK’s padel landscape by coupling sophisticated aesthetics with the sport’s renowned accessibility. In just one year, Swedish entrepreneur Ashrafzadeh has quickly built Padium into a venue that meets the high demands of Canary Wharf’s professional corporate crowd, without laying down the exclusive marker so synonymous with many of London’s traditional racket sport venues.
“Padel needs to be accessible,” said Ashrafzadeh, a Londoner of 20 years whose attention to detail stands him out in the growing community of Britain’s padel pioneers. “Perhaps you only have time to play in the morning before work, and for that reason the club should be open early for that. Then, you don’t want your wet towel in your work bag all day, which is why we offer guests their own towel. It might seem as a small or unnecessary detail, but it is in the small things that create a larger, better and yes, more premium experience.”Ashrafzadeh is a London-based entrepreneur of 20 years, best known until recently for founding Urban Greens, an upmarket salad bar chain prominent across the British capital. The Swede also worked in finance for many years – an industry he is keen to stress, he has not intention to return to:
“Working in padel is amazing. The atmosphere is so positive and you are friends and colleagues even with your hardest competitors. Everyone in padel is there because they love the sport and the community. I can’t say the same for the finance sector. I can see myself spending the rest of my career in padel”
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Ashrafzadeh discovered padel during visits back home to Sweden in the midst of the global pandemic, and became passionate about the sport and its then upturn in fortunes in his homeland. As with so many entrepreneurs, he identified a problem that required a solution; upon returning to the UK, he saw the scarcity of high-quality padel facilities, something that he wanted to fix. The few existing clubs suffered from low standards, offering sub-par courts and tired amenities—a situation largely attributed to the lack of competition in the market. Recognising this gap, he was determined to revolutionise the padel experience in the UK. And so Padium was born.
In developing Padium, Ashrafzadeh meticulously crafted a premium brand that would set new benchmarks in quality and service. The club boasts nine state-of-the-art courts (seven indoor, two outdoor), premium showers and changing rooms, and a stylish bar area and mezzanine level. Understanding the demanding schedules of finance professionals in Canary Wharf, he ensured that the club’s opening hours were extended to accommodate their needs. This attention to detail aimed to create not just a sports facility but a holistic experience that combines athleticism, comfort, and social interaction in, arguably, the best padel location in the UK.
With new locations expected to be announced imminently, what comes next for Padium will be watched closely by the industry.
