Green light for Ollo Padel at Leeds’ historic Roundhouse

One of Leeds’ most important historic buildings is a major step closer to an exciting new future.

Leeds City Council’s West Plans Panel has resolved to approve our plans to transform the Grade II* listed Roundhouse on Wellington Road into a major new destination for padel, fitness, food, drink and community.

The decision covers planning permission and listed building consent, subject to planning conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

For everyone involved in Ollo, it is a huge milestone—and the moment the next stage of work really begins.

Bringing an extraordinary building back to life

Built in 1847 for the Leeds and Thirsk Railway Company, the Roundhouse once housed the steam locomotives that helped power Victorian Leeds.

It has been part of the city’s story for almost 180 years, but in recent years this remarkable building has stood largely unused.

Our plans will sensitively restore and protect the Roundhouse, remove unsympathetic modern additions and bring people, energy and purpose back to the site.

This is about respecting everything that makes the building special while giving it a sustainable, long-term future that can be enjoyed by the people of Leeds.

Much more than padel courts

The three-acre site will feature nine outdoor doubles padel courts, alongside a dedicated indoor coaching court within the Roundhouse itself.

But Ollo has never been designed as somewhere people simply arrive, play and leave.

At the heart of the venue will be the Ollo Clubhouse—a welcoming place to eat, drink, work, meet friends and spend time together, whether you are playing padel or not.

Built around an all-day kitchen and bar, the clubhouse will include comfortable lounge and co-working areas, meeting rooms, live sport and flexible event space.

Our kitchen and bar will be delivered in partnership with Southbank Provisions, the independent Leeds hospitality team behind Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Galleria.

The gym will be operated by fitness and performance specialists Northbound, bringing strength and conditioning, HYROX training, Pilates and a broader programme of classes and wellbeing experiences to the Roundhouse.

Together, padel, fitness, hospitality and social space will create something genuinely different: a destination where people can play, connect and feel part of something.

Built for the Leeds community

Community will sit at the heart of Ollo.

Our plans include free school coaching sessions, junior and women’s programmes, social leagues, community club nights and beginner-friendly events designed to make padelwelcoming and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

The development is also expected to create more than 20 permanent jobs across coaching, hospitality, front of house and operations, supported by a commitment to local recruitment.

Founder and CEO of Ollo Padel, Luke Gidney, said:

“This is a huge day for Leeds, for the Roundhouse and for Ollo.

“The Roundhouse is an incredible building, but it needs people, energy and purpose again. Our plan is to bring it back to life as a place where people can play, eat, work, meet friends and feel part of something.

“Padel is growing so quickly because it is fun, social and easy to pick up—but this is about much more than courts. We want Ollo to become a proper community destination for Leeds: somewhere welcoming, joyful and full of life.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the project. Now the real work starts, and we cannot wait to open the doors.”

Ollo Co-Founder Will Linley added:

“The Roundhouse is one of the most special buildings in Leeds. It deserves a future, not just a past.

“Restoring it and filling it with sport, wellbeing, food, drink and community activity feels like exactly the right next chapter. We want this to be a venue that Leeds can be proud of.”

What happens next?

We will now work through the remaining planning requirements and move forward with the detailed delivery of the venue.

Construction is expected to begin later this year, with Ollo Padel at the Roundhouse aiming to open in the first quarter of 2027.

We will be sharing much more over the coming months, including progress from the site, new partnerships, recruitment opportunities and details of our Founders Memberships.

Ollo in the news

Read more about the Roundhouse plans in BBC News, the Yorkshire Evening Post, The Hoot, TheBusinessDesk.com and Insider Media.