End of an Era for Climbing in Gloucester: or Not?

The Warehouse Today

[Image description] A street view of a brick building with several floors. The building has large windows and a prominent entrance with a sign above it. The sign features a yellow background with a black "W" logo. Below the sign, the entrance has glass doors with the words "CAFE-BAR" repeated on the windows. There are colorful posters and signs visible on the doors and windows. To the right of the entrance, there are vertical yellow banners with the word "ENTRANCE" on them.

After 30 years of providing a climbing haven for Gloucester residents, The Warehouse climbing centre will be closing its doors. But could this be a good thing for young people in Gloucestershire, opening up opportunities for new and experienced climbers?

“Climbing is a great way to get your exercise in a fun way,” said Chloe, 24, from Cheltenham. “I haven’t been climbing for long, and I’m getting better every time. I don’t even have to go often, but I’ve made so many friends. It’s something to look forward to after a long day.”

The Warehouse, an old furniture warehouse converted into a climbing centre, features 13-metre walls with over 150 routes, two bouldering rooms, a 100-metre-long artificial caving system, and a dedicated Kids’ Zone with an interactive Digi Wall and kids' auto-belay room. This impressive collection reaches into the ceilings of the old warehouse, which once belonged to Pickfords Furniture, tucked away on Parliament Street near the docks.

The Warehouse When It Was Owned by Pickfords

[Image description] A black-and-white image of a large, old brick warehouse building with several floors. The building has multiple windows, many of which have bars. Above a set of large wooden doors, almost two stories high, there is a sign that reads "PICKFORDS FURNITURE DEPOSITORY." To the right, there is a sign on the building that says "FOR SALE." Many of the windows are broken, and some are boarded up.

The Warehouse is home to over 50 brilliant staff members who share their climbing expertise. They are gearing up for the closure, which will pave the way for a brand-new, state-of-the-art climbing facility called 270 Climbing. This new centre will be the perfect opportunity for anyone to get involved.

According to 'Our Sporting Life,' the largest proportion of all climbers in the UK are aged 25-34. This is no surprise, as climbing is known for its fun, friendly community. The fast-paced, ever-changing, and interesting form of exercise quickly attracts younger generations.

270 Climbing aims to be one of the best roped climbing facilities in the country, with improved 17m-high walls, over 200 routes, around 100 lower-offs, the longest direct route of 23m, 30 auto-belay routes, four IFSC speed walls, indoor and outdoor walls, and a dedicated group climbing area. That’s a lot of numbers, but it essentially means that this sets Gloucestershire up to be a climbing capital for competitions and enthusiasts.

With climbing as a sport growing massively in popularity all over the UK, and nearby Bristol being the most popular area for climbers, 270 Climbing may be just what Gloucester needs to put itself on the climbing map.

Climbing Capitals of the UK

[Image description] An interactive map of the UK with several white dots marking locations across the country where climbing is most popular, including Bristol, Bath, Cambridge, Sheffield, Oxford, Exeter, Salford, Manchester, and Lincoln.

While an official closing date hasn't been announced, The Warehouse expects to cease operations by the end of 2024. The new facility, 270 Climbing, is nearing completion and is expected to open later this year.