Climbing gym set to open second city centre site following investment
A Louth-based climbing gym is set to open a second site in Lincoln city centre thanks to a £160,000 investment.
Darren Thompson, owner of Ascend Climbing Gym has received funding from First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans through the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) and the Community Investment Enterprise Facility (CIEF), backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS).
The Lincolnshire bouldering-only climbing gym will use the finance to kit out its new site and offer a range of new wall layouts.
In 2019 Thompson opened the Louth-based climbing gym, with plans in 2020 to open a site in Lincoln city centre. After being severely impacted by the pandemic, the company was forced to delay the opening of its Lincoln city centre site due to the lockdown.
Thompson said: “First Enterprise enabled me to expand my climbing gym business by building a second gym, this has safeguarded our business and the jobs of our staff whilst creating several new jobs.”
Matthew Wright, investment manager at First Enterprise – Enterprise Loans, added: “We at First Enterprise-Enterprise Loans are delighted to be able to support Darren in opening his new city centre branch. With restrictions now eased, hustle and bustle is returning to town centres and having a climbing gym is a great addition to the already superb city that is Lincoln.”
