Former Shepherd's Bush cinema to become padel centre
Hammersmith and Fulham Council unanimously approved plans to convert the vacant West 12 Shopping Centre Vue cinema into an 11-court sports facility.
News London evidence indexOpen analysis ▾
Multiple named councillors and council documents corroborate the planning approval.
Higher is stronger
Provides context, quotes officials, and details opening hours, showing clear, relevant reporting.
Higher is stronger
Measured language and factual headline keep sensationalism low.
Lower is better
A former 12-screen Vue cinema in Shepherd's Bush has been granted approval to be converted into an 11-court indoor padel centre. Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Planning and Development Control Committee unanimously approved the plans on an unspecified date. The West 12 Shopping Centre venue has stood empty since June 2026, when the cinema operator ended its lease six months ahead of schedule.
New Sports Facility Operator
John Griffin sells Regent's Park home for £9.2m loss
The Addison Lee founder's Hanover Terrace property sold for £11.5 million, significantly less than his 2013 purchase price.
Rocket Padel, which already operates facilities in Battersea, Beckton, Ilford, and Bristol, will run the new indoor sports complex. The company, represented by Iceni Planning in its application, described padel as an inclusive sport that can bring health and vitality to local communities. Padel courts are recognised as a form of recreational sports provision that aligns with wider trends in diversifying sporting opportunities.
Operating Hours and Restrictions
The new padel centre is permitted to operate from 6am to midnight between Sunday and Thursday, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, including Bank Holidays. Council officers confirmed that other businesses within the West 12 Shopping Centre, such as a 24-hour bingo hall and a bagel shop, operate at similar times. Crucially, planning conditions attached to the approval mandate that the premises must remain an indoor sports centre and cannot be repurposed for other commercial uses.
Lewisham tenants face another year displaced by 'worst building' flooding
Get Living development The Filigree may not reopen until October 2027 after a mains water pipe burst.
Local Welcome for Redevelopment
Councillor Ross Melton, who represents the local Addison ward, welcomed the change of use. He noted that the Vue cinema had been underutilised for some years, facing competition from newer cinemas in White City. He stated that it was "very welcome to see it finding such a positive use." The council's planning officers had recommended the application for approval, highlighting that it would introduce a new leisure facility in a sustainable location, enhance the shopping centre's vitality, and bring a vacant unit back into use.
Questions this report answers
+What is replacing the Vue cinema in Shepherd's Bush?
The former 12-screen Vue cinema at the West 12 Shopping Centre in Shepherd's Bush is being converted into an 11-court indoor padel centre. The venue has been empty since June 2026 after the cinema operator ended its lease early.
+Who will operate the new padel centre?
Rocket Padel, a company with existing sites in Battersea, Beckton, Ilford, and Bristol, will operate the new indoor sports facility. The company aims to bring health and vitality to local communities through the sport.
+What are the opening hours for the new padel centre?
The padel centre will be open from 6am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, including Bank Holidays. This is in line with operating hours of some other businesses in the West 12 Shopping Centre.
+Can the site be used for other commercial purposes in the future?
No, planning conditions have been put in place that require the premises to remain an indoor sports centre. It cannot be converted to other commercial uses, ensuring the site's continued use as a sports and leisure facility.
News London Desk
This article was written at the News London news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
How stories are produced and scoredWho runs News LondonCorrections
The London Ledger
A considered capital-wide edit delivered each morning.
More Coverage in Property & Planning
John Griffin sells Regent's Park home for £9.2m loss
Lewisham tenants face another year displaced by 'worst building' flooding
Rules restaurant building gifted to National Trust
