Businessman set to launch largest climbing wall centre in the North
A Leeds businessman has teamed up with a GP to build the North’s largest Clip ‘n Climb centre – with an investment of around £1m.
David Robinson from Leeds has teamed up with Iyad Al-Mashharawi to create the new business, creating more than 20 jobs in the process. It is set to open in Leeds opens on 26 May; boasting 32 individual climbs, making it the biggest in the North.
Robinson is no stranger to the New Zealand-born Clip ‘n Climb model having successfully run the Clip ‘n Climb Ilkley for two years, before moving on to larger projects. He said: “Clip ‘n Climb is a fantastic business concept. I’m like a kid in a sweet shop choosing the climbs and experimenting with what works best for our audience.”
Rather than it working as a franchise, Clip ‘n Climb provide marketing advice and support, as well as selling the venues the all important climbs but the total creation, funding and running of the venue is down to the owners.
“I knew Leeds was the perfect city for the North’s biggest Clip ‘n Climb, we just had to wait for the right venue. When a place on the Tristram Centre came up, with the direct motorway network and city links, it was ideal,” added Robinson.
Al-Mashharawi said: “I was introduced to David through an Entre-Prises meeting and, upon hearing his expertise and plans for Leeds I had to get involved. I have two children myself, both of whom are huge fans of Clip ‘n Climb. I’m confident I’m investing in a business that I have direct experience in as a customer yet know I am bringing business acumen and strategic thinking to the table as well.”
