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The developers of Liverpool Waters want to bring the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's first ever floating padel courts to the city's waterfront.

Padel, considered the fastest growing sport in the world, is a racquet sport that merges elements of tennis and squash, typically played in doubles.

Peel Waters' proposed facility will be located at Princes Dock at Liverpool Waters and will feature three floating courts.

These would be constructed on a special floating platform from Finland, with the courts themselves manufactured in Spain. Documents have now been submitted to Liverpool Council's planning department, aiming for an opening this summer.

This is the latest floating development for the city, following the Wyld Sauna concept which opened on the dockside last Autumn. As part of the plans, players and spectators would have the opportunity to socialise in a waterside clubhouse, complete with a bar, kitchen and decked seating area.

A small specialist retail store would also be situated within the clubhouse. Padel has already gained popularity on Merseyside, with three specialist courts installed at Liverpool Cricket Club in November 2023, reports .

Padel is gaining traction among sports personalities, with notable fans including Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, who has invested in Game4Padel, and former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, who has been spending time on the court since leaving Anfield. England white-ball cricket captain Jos Buttler is also an enthusiast.

James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, said: "We are really pleased to be bringing the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's first floating Padel courts to Liverpool Waters. This floating concept demonstrates the open approach we have at Peel Waters to welcoming innovative, new ideas and collaborating with forward-thinking businesses to use our portfolio as a testbed for unique, º£½ÇÊÓƵ-first activations on water and the surrounding land."