York farmer establishes Padale Court in Aloo Shed

A farmer has converted one of his potato storage godowns to Padale Court as part of a diversification project.

Calum Stark near Sutton-on-the Freast in North Yorkshire 3,000 acres of land and said that the decision was inspired by low prices that he was receiving for his crop.

“We were not really paying enough for potatoes,” he said.

Although he continues to cultivate his land, the courts have proved to be popular and are already booked completely.

Padale is a racket sport that combines elements of tennis and squash, played in a small enclosed court, and is designed to be more accessible and sociable than traditional tennis.

Mr. Stark said that Padale Farm, which also provides coaching, was part of a growing trend.

“Because it is new because Britain has only 800 courts; they have found 33,000 in Spain and they have up to 60% capacity.

“This is just ‘what can I do with space’ and Padel was the fastest growing game and we are very lucky because we are the first indoor courts in the York region.”

Mr. Stark said that he had gone to the firms he had supplied with potatoes and warned him that he could earn more money from Padale, but then “called his bluff” and established two indoor courts.

Explaining the verdict, he said that there was a “risk of rewarding the reward factor” in the growing potatoes.

“There was not enough reward for the risk,” he said.

Mr. Stark said that the cost of establishing both courts was similar to buying a destonor, a machine that distinguishes stones and other debris from chopped crops.

He said that the courts would pay for themselves within a year, unlike the machinery, which loses the minute coming on the farm.

He opens the courts for a stable stream of players at 07:00 and close them at 23:00.

He said that the players “behaving well” and leaving the convenience in good condition, although he said that he could find it difficult to manage during the crop time.

Mr. Stark urged other farmers to consider options to develop additional income to help support their main businesses.

“You realize what you really have on the farm, you have found a shed, you can rent them for something or do what I have done.

“People love rural areas and farmers do not realize the ability on their fields.”

Mr. Stark said that additional income was important because “you need another string for your bow in farming these days”.