What services does Zero Gravity Design offer?

Zero Gravity Design specialises in high-impact commercial interiors, delivering tailored solutions across Workplace Design, Hospitality Interiors, Retail Environments, and Landlord & Asset Enhancement. Their team provides end-to-end design services, from concept development and space planning to technical drawings, 3D visualisations, and project coordination.

What makes Zero Gravity Design different from other design studios?

Zero Gravity Design takes a bespoke and collaborative approach, working with a curated Design Collective of interior designers, technical experts, and visualisers. This ensures tailored solutions that align with each client’s vision, brand identity, and business goals. Their designs go beyond aesthetics to be functional, commercially viable, and future-proof.

Who is behind Zero Gravity Design?

Zero Gravity Design is led by Ashley Salmon, Founder & Creative Director, who has over 15 years of experience in commercial interior design. Ashley has worked with many of the UK’s most recognisable brands, landlords, and businesses to create spaces that enhance the way people work, shop, and interact.

How does your design process work?

The design process at Zero Gravity Design is structured yet flexible, covering Consultation & Concept Development, Design Development & Visualisation, Technical Design & Specification, and Project Coordination & Delivery. Each stage is highly collaborative to ensure the final design meets both aesthetic and operational goals.

Do you offer project management as part of your services?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design provides project coordination and oversight, working closely with contractors and suppliers to ensure designs are executed to the highest standard.

Can you assist with refurbishing an existing space?

Absolutely. Zero Gravity Design specialises in refurbishing and reimagining spaces — whether it’s a workspace transformation, hospitality upgrade, or retail fit-out — focusing on both functionality and aesthetics to maximise value.

Do you work with businesses of all sizes?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design collaborates with a diverse range of clients, from independent businesses and property developers to large corporations and landlords, tailoring their approach to suit the needs and scale of each project.

Do you work on projects nationwide?

Yes. Although based in Manchester and London, Zero Gravity Design works on projects across the UK, delivering expertise wherever it’s needed.

Can I see examples of your previous work?

Of course. You can explore their portfolio of workplace, hospitality, retail, and landlord enhancement projects on their Projects page.

Do you incorporate sustainable design principles?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design prioritises sustainable materials, energy-efficient solutions, and responsible sourcing to ensure their designs have a positive environmental impact while maintaining high aesthetic and functional value.

How do you ensure well-being in your designs?

Zero Gravity Design considers multiple elements that contribute to occupant well-being, including ergonomic layouts, natural lighting, acoustics, and biophilic design. Their approach ensures that each space supports productivity, comfort, and engagement.

Do you provide 3D visualisations and virtual walkthroughs?

Yes. They use high-quality 3D renders and immersive virtual walkthroughs to help clients visualise their spaces before implementation, enabling better decision-making and refinements early in the design process.

How do you stay ahead of design trends?

The Zero Gravity Design team stays at the forefront of design by continuously learning, attending industry events, staying informed on the latest commercial design trends, and integrating innovative ideas into their work.

How do I start a project with Zero Gravity Design?

You can get in touch via the contact page or call 07572 417095 to schedule an initial consultation. The team will discuss your project, requirements, and how they can bring your vision to life.

What information should I provide when enquiring about a project?

To help Zero Gravity Design understand your needs, please provide: project scope (workplace, hospitality, retail, etc.), size of the space, budget range, key objectives and brand guidelines, and timeframe for completion. This helps them tailor their approach and provide accurate initial guidance.

How long does a typical project take?

Timelines vary depending on the project scope, but Zero Gravity Design provides a detailed timeline during the initial consultation to ensure expectations are clear.

Do you work with tight deadlines?

Yes. Zero Gravity Design always aims to accommodate client timelines. If you have a specific deadline, they will assess how best to deliver within your timeframe while maintaining quality.

How do I stay updated on your latest projects and insights?

You can follow Zero Gravity Design on LinkedIn and Instagram to stay informed about their latest projects, industry insights, and design inspiration.

What Makes a Successful Padel Club?Design, Hospitality & Commercial Strategy in the UK’s Fastest Growing Leisure Sector

Ashley Salmon
Jul 8
3 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Padel is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s fastest-growing leisure markets.

From standalone operators and wellness brands through to mixed-use developments and hospitality groups, investment into padel facilities is accelerating across the country.

But while demand for courts continues to rise, the most successful padel destinations are no longer being shaped purely around sport.

They are being designed around experience.

At the forefront of this sector is Zero Gravity Design, a UK-based interior design and fit-out studio known for delivering thoughtful, design-led commercial interiors that balance creativity with practical and commercial considerations.

Padel Is No Longer Just About the Court

Early-generation facilities focused heavily on maximising court numbers and operational efficiency.

However, as the market matures, user expectations are changing quickly.

Today’s customers increasingly expect environments that feel premium, social, hospitality-led and experience-driven — not simply functional sports facilities.

The strongest commercial operators understand that dwell time, atmosphere and repeat visitation are just as important as gameplay itself.

This shift is creating a significant opportunity for developers and operators willing to think differently about how padel environments are designed.

The Rise of Hospitality-Led Padel Clubs

The future of successful padel facilities sits somewhere between sport, wellness, hospitality and social experience.

Modern padel clubs are increasingly integrating:

premium café and bar environments
wellness and recovery facilities
lounges and spectator zones
boutique changing rooms
coworking and social areas
event and community spaces

The result is a destination people want to spend time in before and after matches — increasing customer retention, secondary spend and long-term commercial viability.

Why Design Matters in Commercial Padel Facilities

A successful padel club requires far more than simply installing courts into a warehouse or industrial shell.

Factors such as spatial planning, player flow, acoustics, lighting, circulation and hospitality integration all play a major role in how the environment functions and feels.

Key considerations include:

Arrival Experience

First impressions matter.

The reception, entrance sequence and visual identity immediately shape how premium the environment feels to members and guests.

Social Interaction

Padel is inherently social.

Designing spaces that encourage lingering, interaction and community building is critical to creating successful clubs.

Hospitality Integration

Food, drink and lounge environments are becoming increasingly important revenue drivers for operators.

The strongest schemes integrate hospitality naturally into the overall experience rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Wellness & Recovery

As padel continues to align itself with wellness culture, recovery spaces such as saunas, cold plunge pools, treatment rooms and wellness lounges are becoming increasingly common within premium facilities.

Atmosphere & Lighting

Lighting, materiality and acoustics have a huge influence on perceived quality and emotional experience.

The best facilities feel immersive and destination-led rather than purely functional sports environments.

Commercial Viability Is Key

As more operators enter the market, competition will inevitably increase.

Facilities that rely purely on court hire may struggle long-term if they fail to create a differentiated customer experience.

Commercially successful clubs are likely to be those that:

create strong brand identity
encourage repeat visits
increase dwell time
generate secondary spend
support community and events
blend sport with hospitality and wellness

This is where design strategy becomes commercially valuable.

The Opportunity for Developers & Landlords

Padel is also becoming increasingly attractive within wider commercial and mixed-use developments.

Developers are beginning to explore padel facilities as part of:

hospitality schemes
residential amenities
mixed-use destinations
retail and leisure environments
wellness-led developments
private members clubs

When integrated correctly, padel can help drive footfall, activation and long-term asset appeal.

Padel Design & Build in Practice

At Zero Gravity Design, we support commercial leisure and hospitality-led environments from early concept strategy through to interior design, technical development and fit-out coordination.

Our approach combines commercial thinking with experience-led design — creating environments that are visually impactful, operationally considered and buildable in reality.

As the UK padel sector continues to evolve, we believe the most successful facilities will be those that move beyond simply providing courts and instead focus on creating memorable destinations and experiences.

Final Thoughts

Padel represents one of the most exciting opportunities currently emerging within the UK leisure sector.

But long-term success will depend on far more than court numbers alone.

The facilities that thrive will be those that understand how to combine sport, hospitality, wellness and social experience into commercially compelling environments people genuinely want to return to.

If you are exploring a padel club, leisure destination or mixed-use development, our team would be happy to discuss your project.

Our studio works with clients across Manchester and the UK on a variety of projects. For more information about our commercial interior design services, please contact us today.