Huge investment in New Climbing Walls at Maidstone ‘Climb Kent’ Centre.

The new ‘Fun Walls’ at ‘Climb Kent’, part of ‘Lower Grange Farm Kent Scouts’ activity centre in Maidstone, are part of the company’s inclusive and accessible business goals.

The 12 new auto belayed walls give the business a huge opportunity to increase footfall.

The BBC reported in February of this year that indoor climbing has become more “mainstream”, and that 26% of England’s climbing walls have opened in the past five years.

So, with the 12-year-old ‘Climb Kent’ competing with new centres, the new addition is not surprising.

Its been a long time coming as Ceri Allen, Climbing Centre Manager confirmed: “the total time frame from original discussion and design to opening the wall was a little over 3 years”

I wanted to delve into the budgetary details of the project, Ceri said:

“The walls cost approximately £200,000 including VAT”. This was made possible “from benefactors and reinvestment of income from previous years”

“We do expect an increase in revenue, but this was not the main focus as we just wanted to be able to offer something different.”

Looking at the activity-based market and how young people are taking to climbing I asked about the challenges and concerns they faced as a centre.

Ceri responded they were: “concerned that we would face the challenge of young people being very device focused…Thankfully we haven’t seen this so far”.

The centre itself is located adjacent to the M25 with beautiful scenery and activity’s for everyone, encouraging young people to explore new hobbies.

The accessibility of indoor climbing is a major focus for those at ‘Climb Kent ’.

Special Educational Needs Groups have been using the facility.

Ceri largely puts this down to: “the more holistic and non-prescriptive nature of this as an activity.”

Their next venture is looking at further options and accessibility for wheelchair users

Ceri described the ‘Fun Wall’ investment as: “a new experience to offer the young people of Kent.”