Working with Wressle Grange is a partnership that has grown over several years. We previously developed the branding for their luxury holiday accommodation and continue to support them with regular copywriting and email marketing. When Claire and Graham, the fourth-generation farmers who run Wressle Grange, decided to expand their offering by building two panoramic padel courts on the farm, they asked us to help them bring this new venture to life.
Over seven months, we moved from the initial naming and visual identity through to a fully realised marketing strategy that culminated in a successful public launch.
Developing a distinct visual identity
The first step was to establish an identity for Wressle Grange Padel Club. While the club is located next to the holiday cottages and farmhouse, the brand needed to feel different. The accommodation is focused on luxury and relaxation, whereas the padel club required a high-energy, sporty feel.
We explored several naming options with the client before settling on a name that felt professional yet grounded in its location. For the visual side, we drew inspiration from the physical environment of the farm. We presented three distinct designs and then refined the chosen logo based on the client’s feedback. The final result is a brand that feels like a natural companion to Wressle Grange but has the strength to function as an independent sports facility.
A collaborative approach to marketing
Once the identity was set, we crafted a detailed marketing plan to generate interest while the courts were still under construction. We wanted to build a community of followers and email subscribers before the first ball was even hit.
This plan was designed to be flexible. We recognise that every business has different internal resources, so we worked side-by-side with the client to share the workload. They took ownership of specific actions that suited their day-to-day capacity, while we managed the more technical and time-intensive elements. This helped ensure the strategy remained manageable and cost-effective throughout the pre-launch phase.
Building the digital foundation
To give the club a home online, we designed and built a dedicated section on the existing Wressle Grange website. We wrote the copy and structured the layout to act as a primary information hub for prospective players. Between January and April, this new page saw over 5,000 visits.
A key goal was to grow an email list of interested people. We created a specific landing page for newsletter sign-ups and integrated this with MailerLite, securing subscribers for the padel club pre-launch. We then built automated email sequences so that anyone signing up received an immediate welcome and updates on the opening of the padel club. These automated workflows saved the client time and ensured that when the courts were open we had an engaged list of people ready to book. The emails were highly effective, with the first update achieving an open rate of 78.4%.
Growing a social media community from scratch
We managed the club’s social media presence for four months, covering the periods before and after the opening. Starting from zero, we led a growth strategy focused on local awareness and excitement. By sharing regular updates on the construction and upcoming opening, along with giveaways of exclusive branded merchandise, we saw the Facebook page grow to 568 followers and the Instagram account reach 700 followers.
The club opened its doors to a flurry of activity, securing a high volume of initial bookings and receiving excellent feedback from the first groups of players to use the courts.
Spreading the word for the official launch event
With the courts open and the soft launch a success, we shifted our focus to the official launch event. We used a mix of digital and traditional methods to reach the widest possible local audience.
On the digital side, we ran targeted advertisements on Facebook and Instagram with a modest budget of under £200. These were specifically aimed at sporty individuals within the local area, reaching 92,185 people, significantly increasing the club’s profile in the local area.
On the traditional PR front, we researched and contacted local and trade publications. We designed press advertisements for the weeks surrounding the event and issued press releases that were picked up by several local outlets, resulting in significant editorial coverage.
Sustaining momentum after the event
The launch event was a great success, with hundreds of people attending to try out the facilities. To help the club run smoothly after the initial rush, we developed an extensive FAQ page on the website. This page provides immediate answers for players and is structured to be easily understood by search engines, AI and voice assistants. By answering common questions in a natural format, the site is more likely to appear when people ask their devices about local padel facilities or club rules.
Following the launch, we collated the press coverage and handed over the daily marketing tasks to the Wressle Grange team. The club is now a thriving part of the farm’s offering, and we continue to stay close to the project to provide support whenever it’s needed.
“We decided to take the leap and diversify again, this time padel courts, I didn’t hesitate to contact Michelle At And Marketing to support us with the design and launch of our latest project.
Throughout the process, Michelle has been consistently professional, highly organised and full of excellent ideas. She has also been patient and accommodating, particularly when our own timelines meant delays in getting back to her! Her support and expertise have been invaluable, and she has gone above and beyond at every stage.
I would highly recommend And Marketing to anyone looking for reliable, creative, and well-organised marketing support.”
+ Claire, Wressle Grange Padel Club
Support for your venture
If you are preparing to launch a new venture or want to reach a wider audience with your existing business, we can help you navigate the process. We provide a full range of marketing services, from initial branding to ongoing digital growth. Get in touch to discuss how we can work together to help you achieve your goals.
