It’s fun, it’s active, it’s free and all the family can play. What is it? It’s a Ping Pong Parlour! Now open daily 10am-5pm! Located opposite Costa on Park Mall.  No booking necessary – just turn up and play for free!

The Saddlers Shopping Centre in Walsall has teamed up with Table Tennis England to be one of only three sites in the West Midlands where you can trial and play table tennis for free. The Ping Pong Parlour will host four professional tables in a unit at The Saddlers Shopping Centre, next to Costa Coffee, with all equipment provided. So, all you need to do is pop in and have a go, absolutely free of charge.

With the Commonwealth Games hosted in Birmingham over the next two weeks, residents of Walsall are likely to see table tennis matches broadcasted on the TV. The sport’s popularity is increasing and you can play in various locations around the country with more accessible tables popping up in not only shopping centres but in parks, schools and community centres. Take a look at the Table Tennis England website at www.tabletennisengland.co.uk to find where you play.

Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council, is pleased to support the project. He said, “We are excited to welcome Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to the region by bringing something different to The Saddlers Shopping Centre for Walsall residents to enjoy. Opening in time for the summer holidays, this is something for children and families, as well as those shopping in the area to enjoy.”

Melvin Glasby, Centre Manager at the Saddlers Centre, said, “We know that the Ping Pong Parlour will be a firm favourite with our visitors over the summer. It’s great to offer something different for local people to try and with busy holiday and school uniform shopping taking place, there will be something to keep the kids entertained on these trips!”

Jade Griffiths, Partnerships, and Insights Officer at Table Tennis England, said, “Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and expose more people to a fantastic sport and any opportunity or location we are able to raise participation, strengthen communities and improve wellbeing is much appreciated. We’re so pleased to be working with The Saddlers Centre on this Summer’s plans to celebrate table tennis and the Commonwealth Games.”

The Ping Pong Parlour is due to be officially opened by Councillor Gary Flint at 11am on Wednesday 3 August 2022.  Following that, the Parlour will be open daily, 10am-5pm for members of the public to come along and enjoy.