Next generation of Arora family opening Manchester padel court - and planning 30 more across the UK with investment from B&M Bargains leader

The next generation of the billionaire Arora family is behind a new development in Manchester that will transform a storage shed into a hub for one of Britain’s fastest-growing sports.

Sammy Arora co-founded Pure Padel, which opened its first venue in Alderley Park last year and now has ambitious plans to open 30 clubs in the next five years.

The business has won investment from Sammy’s father Bobby - one of the Arora brothers who transformed B&M Bargains from a small Blackpool business into a retail giant with more than 1,000 B&M and Heron stores across the UK. This year’s Sunday Times Rich List estimated that siblings Bobby, Simon and Robin Arora were collectively worth some £2.5bn.

Their father moved to Manchester in 1947, and started a cash and carry business in Dutton Street, Cheetham Hill, near Victoria station. Now Sammy, 23, is turning his grandfather’s old building into an indoor padel club with six panoramic padel courts, a pro-padel shop, a bistro-style café and bar

He and business partner Fraser Higson have gathered a group of investors including Bobby Arora to support those growth ambitions.

Sammy, who leads commercial operations at Pure Padel, said: “I’m excited to combine my entrepreneurialism and love of sport to introduce the first indoor padel club in the north west and I’m proud to be able to find such a modern and worthwhile use that means my grandfather’s hard work all those years ago will live on and benefit so many people today.

“Keeping the warehouse in the family has been something I really wanted to do as recognition for my grandfather’s sacrifices and stealth business acumen all those years ago.

“As the third generation of Aroras to take over, it’s both an exciting and challenging time. Embarking on my own entrepreneurial journey having such well known and successful predecessors is not without its pressures, but I’m grateful for their guidance and am looking forward to the challenge.”

Pure Padel has welcomed 4,000 players to its Alderley Park site since opening it in October. The company operates on a “pay to play” basis without membership fees, with players using an app to match with other players of similar levels.

The company has eight new clubs already at the planning stage, with another 15 in the pipeline. Its directors are planning more expansion across Cheshire, with the Midlands and the South West of London among its target regions.

Sammy Arora took up padel while living in Milan, where he studied at the SDA Bocconi School of Management.

He said: “I’ve been lucky enough to have been playing padel since getting hooked on it in Milan, where I took it up as a student as it was the best way to meet new people in the city. It’s fantastic to see such a broad mix of people picking it up, from those who no longer play fast paced racket sports like squash and tennis, or those wishing to step away from work for exercise and to socialise - it’s clearly taken grip of the nation and we’re testament to the fact it’s here to stay.”

He added: “Padel has taken the UK by storm - and the North West is slowly becoming a padel hub after leaders London and Bristol who set the scene. It’s partly due to how easy it is to pick up and also the plethora of courts across the region.

“We hope bringing indoor padel courts to Manchester will help make it even more accessible to those living and working close by. Currently, north Manchester residents are travelling as far as Huddersfield to play so we know there’s demand for more padel courts in the city centre that are reachable by car and public transport.

“Choosing a site so close to Victoria train station is a real asset - we hope it’ll help bring players into the city centre who will go on to spend on hospitality and shopping to further support the local economy.

“Manchester’s cold and wet climate makes our indoor proposition even more attractive to players who are looking to keep up padel year round. The unpredictable weather conditions really impact the game, so a club away from the elements ensures the best playing experience.”

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