A long-standing community of squash players at David Lloyd Leeds say they feel “betrayed” and “cast aside” after being informed that the club’s squash courts are set to be converted for padel with less than two weeks’ notice.
Many affected members have been part of the club for close to two decades and have formed a close-knit social and sporting community.
Packed sessions take place every Tuesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday morning at the club. Players say squash at David Lloyd Leeds became a cornerstone of their lives, friendships and family routines.
“This isn’t just about losing a game,” one spokesperson for the squash players said. “For many of us, this has been a huge part of our lives for 15 or 20 years.
“We’ve brought up our children here, built lasting friendships, gone on squash holidays together and supported one another through difficult times — including lockdown.”
Players say the decision — announced via Whatsapp — has come as a shock, particularly given the short timeframe before the courts are expected to shut.
“To be told with less than two weeks to go that the courts are disappearing feels like a real smack in the face,” another long-standing member said. “After years of loyalty, representing the club and bringing in new members, we feel we’ve simply been discarded.”
Members have represented David Lloyd Leeds in the Harrogate League for years, helping to raise the profile of the club competitively while introducing new members through the sport.
Giving over the current squash facilities to indoor padel courts is perhaps no surprise given the two sports' trajectories.
David Lloyd proclaimed itself as 'UK's largest operator of padel' just under a year ago, with (at that point) 84 courts across its estate of 33 David Lloyd clubs in the UK, and 166 courts across 47 clubs in total across Europe. Its current rollout is targeting over 220 courts in total at 100 clubs.
The removal of squash at its Leeds site comes on the back of a similar decision at David Lloyd Ringwood in Dorset, where members felt 'ignored' and 'disenfranchised' after courts were closed in May last year.
Players at David Lloyd Leeds questioned the timing of the decision to remove squash given the sport’s upcoming Olympic debut at LA 2028.
“Squash is finally getting the recognition it deserves on the world stage,” one player said. “Interest in the game can only grow from here. To remove courts at the very point the sport is about to receive Olympic exposure feels incredibly short-sighted.”
Several members have voiced frustration about the condition of the courts in recent years, claiming maintenance concerns had repeatedly been raised.
“There’s a feeling among members that squash has slowly been allowed to decline,” one spokesperson said. “People raised concerns over the condition of the courts and repairs over a long period. Looking back now, some players feel the writing may have been on the wall.”
The club’s squash section has also played an important role in developing talent and representing David Lloyd Leeds competitively. One junior who began playing at the club has since gone on to represent Yorkshire and the North East.
Long-standing members also recall James Willstrop and Chris Simpson regularly training at the club around a decade ago and running sessions for members. Players say this history makes the current situation feel even harder to accept and has fuelled concerns that squash facilities have been gradually deprioritised.
The conversion of the courts to indoor padel reflects the growing trend across the UK leisure sector. Padel's explosive growth is down to its appeal to a broader demographic, quick learning curve and accessibility.
However, members say the decision overlooks the value of established sporting communities and loyalty built over decades.
“Squash isn’t just exercise — it’s friendship, community and mental wellbeing,” one player said. “People supported each other during lockdown, through bereavements, divorces and difficult periods in life. You don’t replace that overnight.”
Players are now calling on David Lloyd Leeds to reconsider the timeline, explore alternatives or engage more openly with members about the future of squash at the club.
Squash Player asked David Lloyd for comment but at time of going to press they had not responded.
