Gloucester Quays' upper deck could become a ‘climbing wall theme park’
Ambitious business plans have been revealed to turn the upper deck of Gloucester Quays into a potentially "very profitable" "theme park meets climbing wall” centre for all ages.
Dear readers,
We publish earlier than usual this week, partly because we are working on a report on reaction from the business community to today’s Spring Statement by the Chancellor, and partly because the story below dropped in our lap.
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Today, knowing a version of the story below by the Carmelo Garcia will go everywhere once we publish, we’ve gone early and left the paywalls off.
(Regular readers will also know we are the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire to be approved by the BBC to use Garcia’s copy).
As for the Spring Statement story, it’s a report about a gathering at accountants Randall & Payne’s offices today (26 March); an invitation-only affair bringing together an ecclectic mix of business people and delivering some great insight into business in the county.
It is the reaction of those business people, probably more than Rachel Reeves’ speech, that proved of real interest. We hope to bring you that tomorrow (or Friday at the latest!).
We think it will make for very interesting reading. A massive thanks to Randall & Payne for letting me into what felt like the inner sanctum!
Best regards,
Andrew Merrell
Editor of The Raikes Journal.
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Gloucester Quays’ upper deck could become a ‘climbing wall theme park’
Ambitious business plans have been revealed to turn the upper deck of Gloucester Quays into a potentially "very profitable" "theme park meets climbing wall” centre for all ages.
There are plans to use the upper deck of Gloucester Quays for a “theme park meets climbing wall” centre.
Gloucester Quays LLP wants permission to change the use of the empty area which is currently designated for outlet retailing, writes Carmelo Garcia.
And it has submitted plans to Gloucester City Council to allow it to use all of the 1,256 square metres of accommodation on the upper deck.
The likely operator of the space would be Clip ‘n Climb UK, a climbing leisure operator with bases in locations including Bristol, Swindon, High Wycombe, Nottingham and Cambridge.
Not to be confused with Gloucestershire’s own 270 Climbing Park at Bentham, which also ran the Warehouse Climbing Centre in Parliament Street near to the Docks, Clip ‘n Climb UK’s Quays’ plans would provide climbing and soft play facilities along with a café.
Consultants say the proposal will not lead to additional floor space being created within the outlet.
The plans also introduce an additional leisure use to Gloucester Quays, which the Quays says reflects the spirit of the original planning permission which included leisure uses.
It is not proposed to ‘give up’ any of the permitted factory outlet shopping floorspace, which will remain as up to 20,000 sqm.
“The proposal will bring an underutilised space within the city centre into economic use and will contribute positively to the levels of economic activity in the area,” planning consultants said.
“A leisure climbing facility with ancillary facilities such as a café will create a number of jobs, with employees generally being sought from the local area.
“As such, the proposal will make a meaningful contribution to the employment opportunities within Gloucester.
“The proposal will bring other wider economic benefits by encouraging longer stays within the city centre and increasing footfall and activity in the area to the benefit of local shops, cafes and businesses.”
On hearing about the proposal Emily Gibbon, manager of Gloucester BID, which represents the city centre businesses, said: “This sounds like an exciting prospect. It would bring into use an unused area of the Quays, and provide a very different offering to what is in the city centre already.”
In order to provide improved accessibility to the upper deck, several internal alterations that did not require planning permission have already been undertaken within the outlet, including the installation of two escalators which provide direct access to the upper deck from the ground floor.
No changes are proposed to the multi storey car park at Gloucester Quays, and there are no external works related to this proposal that require planning permission.
“Clip ‘n Climb UK provide fun challenges for children, families, parties and corporate events at various locations across the country.” the planning documents submitted to the council say.
“Its ‘theme park meets climbing wall’ concept has been thrilling and challenging people of all ages for almost 20 years, creating a new sector in the leisure industry that has grown in popularity all over the world.
“Visitors return to Clip ‘n Climb again and again to tackle our colourful and unique challenges with their friends and family. Clip ‘n Climb has revolutionised active play, establishing a network of centres in more than 50 countries around the world.
“There are now over 360 Clip ‘n Climb facilities worldwide, some as stand-alone centres, some located in retail malls and leisure centres, and others associated directly with conventional climbing walls.
“All centre types have proven to be massively appealing and therefore very profitable.”
Westgate councillors Rebecca Trimnell (LD) and Pam Tracey (C) have welcomed the proposals.
“In a way, it’s a great idea,” Tracey said. “It will have to be more guarded up there, of course.”
“At least it is being used and it brings people in there. It’s good to bring more people in.
“Perhaps people will drop their kids off and do some shopping. It’s a really good idea.”
Trimnell said it was sad to see the climbing centre go in Parliament Street.
“It’s good for people’s mental and physical health. I hope planning is given to it.
People have until April 15 to comment on the proposals which city planners are expected to consider by May 17.
The plans can be found by searching for application 25/00269/FUL on Gloucester City Council’s planning portal.
This article is by Carmelo Garcia, BBC Local Democracy Reporter for Gloucestershire. You can reach him here: carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com. The Raikes Journal is the only independent news website in Gloucestershire approved to use the BBC local democracy reporting service.