The indoor climbing centre at Weston-super-Mare’s Dolphin Square has opened, and the Mercury was given an exclusive first look at its brimming collection of high-rising obstacles.
Clip n Climb welcomes its first customers today (Friday).
It boasts a wide selection of 30ft-high floor-to-ceiling climbing walls, ladders and slides.
Pupils from nearby Walliscote Primary School were given the chance to test their abilities ascending the obstacles, which cater for climbers of all abilities.
Clip n Climb’s most daring attractions includes a vertical slide, where thrill-seekers are carried to the ceiling by a winch before being dropped, and the 18ft-tall Leap of Faith platform, which is certain to test even the most hardened of adrenaline-junkies.
Dolphin Square – which was redeveloped as part of North Somerset Council’s town centre regeneration programme – is home to an eight-screen Cineworld cinema plus an assortment of chain restaurants, but Westonians have often bemoaned a lack of things to do.
The introduction of the climbing centre, however, is likely to prove popular and bolster the range of family-friendly activities in Weston, with owner Nick Mussell telling of ‘amazing’ support and interest on social media.
He told the Mercury he is confident it will add a new dimension to the town centre.
He said: “I think Clip n Climb is brilliant because it’s for all ages. We had schoolchildren aged five and older, and all of them had a great time.
“It goes all the way up to adults too. Everyone can have a great time here.
“I’ve got four kids, the youngest being five and the oldest is 13. It was always hard to find something which kept them all entertained, but Clip n Climb ticks that box.”
Mr Mussell – who is from Lancashire and chose Weston to open the franchise after reviewing several locations – believes the regeneration of the town centre is already reaping rewards.
He added: “There’s obviously something good happening.
“We came to view Dolphin Square and it’s just brilliant.
“You can tell when something is going on in an area and good things are happening here.”
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