Ping Pong Parlour one year old and has lots to celebrate!

Introducing a Ping Pong Parlour to the Saddlers Centre has been a roaring success. We’re happy to celebrate its first birthday with its key supporters and announce Saturday coaching sessions.

The partnership between Table Tennis England and the Saddlers Centre to create a free to use Ping Pong Parlour in August last year during the Commonwealth Games, has been positively received by local people of all ages.  So much so that the opening times have been increased, from 10am – 5pm daily and is completely free of charge.

In the first five weeks of opening over 16,000 visits were made to the four professional tables, with bats and balls provided and no need to book. The Commonwealth Games encouraged people to try new sports and table tennis is just one easily accessible sport to try and a fun way to keep healthy.

Colin Eley from Table Tennis England commented; “The Walsall ping pong parlour was introduced during the Commonwealth Games and is one of only a handful opening in the West Midlands, since the pandemic.  It’s great to see this commonwealth legacy continue to contribute to the health and wellbeing of local people.”

A new introduction to the Parlour is a volunteer, local coach from Cheslyn Hay Table Tennis Club, who visits on a Saturday between 10-12pm to provide tips, hints and basic advice on table tennis, free to anyone who would like to lean more.

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces at Walsall Council, said: “The Ping Pong Parlour is a fantastic, community resource in the Saddlers Shopping Centre, which is being well used and respected by all ages. Activities like ping pong are a fun and free way of keeping active. The Parlour has been used by hundreds of Walsall families over the last year. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in its successful first year.”

Finally, Melvin Glasby, Saddlers Shopping Centre Manager commented; “We have been surprised at how popular the tables have been.  It’s such an accessible sport, appealing to all, that it works as a shopping centre asset and is great for the people of Walsall.”