Pete Boyle confirms plans to bring padel concept to former Europa bus station in Belfast
Entrepreneur says the Weavers Cross site is one of 10 padel courts he has in development Share current article via Email Share c
Jewellery entrepreneur Pete Boyle has confirmed he will bring his growing chain of padel courts to Belfast city centre.
Plans have been submitted to erect a temporary padel court marquee at the former Europa bus station on Glengall Street, next to the street food market Halt.
The Strabane-native behind the Argento retail business has invested heavily in the fast-growing sport.
Launched just last year, his Let’s Go Padel chain has already opened eight sites across the north.
Mr Boyle has confirmed another 10 padel court venues are currently under construction in Northern Ireland and in Sligo.
The list of new locations includes the site of the former Europa bus station in Belfast, now known as Weavers Cross.
The former bus depot has already been redeveloped into a new street food hub by MRP, the property arm of McAleer & Rushe.
MRP was selected by Translink as the master developer of the wider Weavers Cross site following the opening of Grand Central Station.
The long-term plans for the 30 acres around the old and new transport hubs involve around 1.5 million sq ft of developments.
Pitched as a temporary venture pending the long-term redevelopment of the site, Halt features a number of food vendors trading from containers in a licensed open space, operated by the Hastings Group.
It currently has planning permission to remain in the old bus depot until May 2030.
Following the removal of the Boyne Bridge, the reopening of Durham Street and the construction of the new Saltwater Square open space outside Grand Central Station, the next phase of the Weavers Cross project involves more temporary structures to attract footfall to the site.
Alongside four temporary padel court in a marquee style structure, more shipping containers to proposed to be used as retail and co-working space.
A new pedestrian walkway is also planned to connect Durham Street and Halt, opening directly opposite the Great Northern Mall.
Pete Boyle said the Weaver’s Cross site is one of three new padel courts being developed by his company in Belfast.
Let’s Go Padel is also opening courts at Queen’s University and next to the Shorts factory in east Belfast.
Sites in Ballygawley, Bangor, Strabane, Banbridge and Limavady are also in the works.
They will join a portfolio that already includes Carryduff, Ballyclare, Derry, Omagh, Newry, Lurgan, Ballymoney and north Belfast.
