Climber thinks big with King Kong investment
A KEEN climber who has run a climbing wall design, manufacture and installation company for the past 20 years, is investing £800,000 in his first leisure facility in Cumbria.
Paul Cornforth from Keswick, has been climbing since he was a teenager, and launched King Kong Climbing 20 years ago to design and make climbing walls, as well as associated accessories and clothing.
He has now taken his experience to launch the leisure facility, which will feature 600 square metres of climbing surface, including an indoor ice climbing facility. The centre is creating 12 jobs.
The new 900 sq ft centre will also feature children’s climbing walls, a kids’ play area, technical and advanced climbing facilities and caving areas.
The King King Climbing Centre is due to open by July and has been part funded with £150,000 from HSBC’s Lancashire and Cumbria commercial centre to support the £800,000 project.
Mr Cornforth said: “We are very excited about the new centre, which has been a labour of love. I have been climbing for 40 years and have been designing and building walls for the past 20, so I wanted to take all of that experience to build something special, which I believe I have.
“We believe this will be a destination venue for people living in the North West and all those that come to The Lakes on holiday.”
HSBC Commercial Manager Angela Kirkpatrick managed the deal on behalf of the bank.
Jason Gledhill, HSBC Lancashire and Cumbria area commercial director, added: “We know Paul well through his main climbing wall business and we know he is passionate about this new project, which we are confident will be a success.”
