Dorset farmer turns to padel to boost farm and rural community

A Dorset arable farmer is investing in an indoor padel club as part of plans to strengthen the family farm while rebuilding rural community connections.

Ben Chick, 28, has secured planning permission from Dorset Council for Chalk & Padel at Thorneydown Farm, near Sixpenny Handley, with construction expected to begin this autumn ahead of a spring 2027 opening.

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The third-generation farmer said the diversification followed growing pressure on the family’s 400ha arable business, including the loss of 100ha of rented land this September.

He said volatile prices, higher input costs and uncertainty over farm support had made returns increasingly difficult to predict.

“It seems crazy that farms are in this situation where they have to do something aside from farming to keep the farm farming,” he said.

The development, which is understood to be the first rural indoor padel centre in Dorset, will include three courts, a café and a wellness studio offering activities including pilates, yoga and breathwork.

Connecting communities

But Mr Chick said the ambition went beyond generating another income stream.

He believes rural communities have lost many of the places where people once met informally, with pubs and other village venues disappearing.

“We’re trying to bring one of those venues back into a rural area of Dorset to try and make sure we get people more connected,” he said.

His motivation has also been shaped by his own experience of chronic fatigue and his membership of the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, which was formed to raise awareness of mental health in farming.

Mr Chick said his illness had highlighted the importance of health, sport and regular social contact.

“I’ve really learned how important health, community, seeing people, and sport are for wellbeing, just through my own sort of life experience with chronic fatigue.”

He said padel appealed partly because of its social nature and its ability to bring people together, particularly in rural areas where isolation can be a concern.

The café, Aroha, is intended to reflect the hospitality and coffee culture he associates with New Zealand, while the wider venue will also take architectural inspiration from the country.

Mr Chick said he wanted to recreate some of the warmth and friendliness he had experienced there.

Work is due to start this autumn, with the club expected to open in spring 2027.