Business that’s climbing to the top

Two climbers, who turned a disused Yorkshire flour mill into an indoor climbing gym, are making a further investment to create one of the biggest indoor climbing walls in the UK.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Dec 2011, 06:00 BST

Business partners Euan Noble and Leigh Topping opened ROKT Climbing Gym in Brighouse, West Yorkshire, in April.

So far, they have signed up almost 6,000 members.

The duo have now secured an Enterprise Finance Guarantee Loan from NatWest to develop the facility.

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The funding will be used to create several new features including a large penthouse bouldering chamber that uses new climbing technology and a caving system that includes tunnels, drops and pools.

There will also be an indoor gym and a park.

Mr Noble and Mr Topping spent three years studying suitable sites across Yorkshire before launching ROKT in the former Sugden’s Mill.

Mr Topping said: “Since we launched the business in April the response has been tremendous.

“We’ve attracted people from all backgrounds ranging from the most experienced climbers to beginners who had never previously been near a climbing wall before.

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“Our goal is to create one of Europe’s best indoor climbing facilities. We have a unique building in which to do this and have made this latest investment to enhance the facilities and create almost 2.5 km of climbing wall surface.

“We’re confident this will attract new visitors.”

Pictured above are Chris Rushworth of NatWest, Leigh Topping, Euan Noble, and Caroline Hamnett of NatWest.

Related topics:YorkshireWest YorkshireBrighouse