Key Takeaways
- Following a competitive pitch, Soul Padel has brought in Glasgow-based Perceptive Communicators to lead its PR and communications work in Scotland.
- Soul Padel now operates 4 UK venues. After opening at Braehead in June 2026, the operator plans 3 more Scottish clubs in Ayr, Irvine, and Dalkeith during 2027.
- Founder Mark Hewlett said the business wants to become a “leading voice in Scottish padel”, with community access and inclusion remaining central to its plans.
Soul Padel appoints Perceptive Communicators to support Scottish expansion
Soul Padel, the UK operator, has selected Glasgow-based communications consultancy Perceptive Communicators after a competitive pitch. The appointment arrives during the agency’s 20th anniversary year as it continues to build its leisure-sector portfolio.
The agency will deliver strategic PR and communications support aimed at increasing awareness of Soul Padel and expanding its presence north of the border, with particular emphasis on the operator’s community-focused approach to widening access to the sport.
Lesley Ferguson, Perceptive Communicators’ deputy managing director, said: “Soul Padel is an exciting addition to our leisure portfolio, particularly at a time when Scotland’s padel market is gaining momentum and there is a real opportunity to shape the conversation around the sport,”
Ferguson added: “What stands out is the ambition to create a community around the sport, with accessibility and inclusion at its heart. We’re looking forward to helping tell that story, build the brand’s profile and support its plans for growth across Scotland,” She said the appointment underlined the agency’s substantial experience across the leisure and hospitality industries.
Soul Padel targets major Scottish club expansion
Soul Padel was established in 2023 and currently operates 4 venues across the UK. Scotland became part of its network when the Braehead club in Renfrew opened in June 2026, while further sites are planned across the country for 2027.
| Location | Region / Status | Opening Year |
|---|---|---|
| Braehead, Renfrew | First Scottish venue | 2026 |
| Ayr | Planned expansion | 2027 |
| Dalkeith, Midlothian | Planned expansion | 2027 |
| Irvine | Planned expansion | 2027 |
As the company’s expansion gathers pace, Soul Padel chief executive and founder Mark Hewlett stressed the importance of beginning the new PR partnership now.
Hewlett explained: “We’re at an important stage in Soul Padel’s growth as we establish ourselves in Scotland and prepare for further expansion,” He continued: “We want to build a brand that people recognise not just for the quality of our clubs, but for the community and inclusive approach we bring to the sport.”
Hewlett said Perceptive would be central to expanding the company’s outreach across the nation: “Perceptive understands the opportunity ahead and will play an important role in helping us raise awareness, engage new audiences and establish Soul Padel as a leading voice in Scottish padel.”
