UKC

Just a bit of 'market research', no prommises made, just curiosity...

Is there much call for a small bouldering centre in Chester? Possibly with a little cafe, and a climbing gear shop (meaning you don't have to go to F&T or EB for your kit anymore!

Be usefull to know the level of interest so that we can see if its a feasable idea?

Cheers.

I'd go along, i think something like that would be good.

In reply to carrot_boy:

There is already too much competition in the area, Rochdale, Manchester, Stockport and Liverpool not to mention most colleges/unis

In reply to Jason123: I suppose there are quite a few venues, but realistically speaking, rochdale, manchester and stockport are all a fair drive from chester (at least 45mins), Liverpools not alot closer.
Do you not think that a small, specialist venue would be feasable? we're not thinking lead walls, or anything like that, just Bouldering, cheap and cheerful, good atmosphere etc etc?

In reply to carrot_boy:

I agree it would be nice, too far for me though.

In reply to carrot_boy: If done well (see BoulderUK) then it should work. Should be a pretty good catchment area.

In reply to carrot_boy: http://plaspoweradventure.com/

In reply to carrot_boy: I think it's a great idea and would defo be there every weekend. I could ride down on my bike and everything. :¬P Personally, it's much easier to get to than Liverpool too.

In reply to carrot_boy:

A small decent bouldering centre would attract plenty of buisness and would exploit the lack of a decent climbing shop within chester. AW stockport and the Manc climbing centre are too far for an evening every week and getting to liverpool or warrington takes too long if you live towards Wrexham.

However - there have been previous not particularly successful attempts. I'd suggest a more central Chester location rather than out towards Saltney.

Good luck with the project! I look forward to bouldering there.

'If you build it they will come'

In reply to jepotherepo:

Someones already mentioned http://plaspoweradventure.com/ which is close to wrexham - they used to be in Saltney.

Only a sugestion but how about a place on route to snowdonia area...i.e. Mold, Ruthin, Denbeigh, something like that? I.e. people head over to snowdonia, it rains, they come to bouldering wall to...kinda on route to the M56... just an idea - i know i'd use it.

I live in Mold now BTW but most of my mates live up M56 direction.

In reply to carrot_boy: Yes I would defo go!!!

In reply to carrot_boy:

Plas Power has a rather large number of set problems and a moon board. Also , they do regular bouldering comps - for all levels -

Give it a try ..

In reply to carrot_boy:

Oh and also, Plas Power has a shop, is a paramo dealer and if it isnt in the centre, then it will be on order ... all very good kit ..

In reply to carrot_boy: you'd get a big thumbs up from me,...

at the mo as i don't have car or any one to climb with and want to go bouldering indoors i'm stuck with a pretty much 2 hour journey to get to either liverpool or warrington which kinda ends up taking a whole day to do (no chance of quick climbing after work). if you could offer me £6+ an hour and 5 days a week i'll work there

In reply to carrot_boy:
Do it. I live in Chester and Liverpool and Manchester are too far/too pricey to regularly train at once you add in train fare/tolls and/or fuel. Warrington bouldering is nothing to write home about. Plaspower ok from what Ive heard, but not inspiring, and no real training atmosphere.
At worst, theres enough interest on here to maybe get a small co-operative gang together..just need a venue (aim for studentville toward Sealand road I reckon)
Good luck!

In reply to goosebump:

Nice to have informed opinion on the forum.

In reply to Clwydian: I go to plas power sometimes - its ok.

In reply to carrot_boy: Its a yes from me and i know 4 others who would jump at the idea too.

What sort of food would people want in a center like this?

Would toasties and muffins surfice or do people call for a more indepth cafe?

In reply to carrot_boy: I'd use it, and I think i know a few other people that would too. I've used Plas Power a few times, and its not too bad, but I think that for students its a bit far to go, I don't drive, and so it takes ages to get there!
In reply to theonewhoismatt: I think it would be good if it had some kind of sandwiches, and a coffee machine?

In reply to theonewhoismatt:

toastie + climbing = 2 rennies please. Or a snooze.
A cafe might be going a bit far, depending on the level of use you expect/whether you run to the cafe to subsidise the wall. Do you really want to clean and maintain a kitchen and a wall? Having said that if you could open a place thats like Egg in Liverpool, it would be bloody ace. <<<rant about Chesters lack of independent, decent, unpretentious, non-chain shops/cafes>>>

FWIW the Climbing Works seem to have a pretty good set up grub wise. Have you been there?

After a lengthy chat yesterday with a potential benifactor it could seem like chester maybe getting a wall!!!!!

In reply to theonewhoismatt:

Magic.... make it soon, am at the moment trying to work out whether or not to spend £8 to get to warrington.


as to what foods to have, pretty much just keep it simple, crisps, cookies and muffins, tea, coffee and coke.

In reply to theonewhoismatt: More interest here, a full blown cafe seems a bit OTT though and might mean all sorts of food health and safety issues? Muffins, flapjacks and chocolate bars (all wrapped food) and hot and cold drinks would do the job.

In reply to carrot_boy: Sounds great as long as there is just one fee and no annual membership to pay for a small discount.

Chester Wrexham could do with a good wall as the nearest good wall is at least 1 hour away.

whats the chance of it happening this winter ?

In reply to carrot_boy: FWIW im confident there would be demand (indoor venues generally seem to be swamped, certainly liverpool and both the manchester walls are) but i guess, subject to your aspirations and finances, it would be worthwhile starting small with the option to increase size.

some people have mentioned PlasPower, unfortunately its limited in terms of size and whats on offer:
- the space used for bouldering isnt maximised
- there appears to be no set problems
- it looked like both the overhanging board and traverse wall hadnt been changed in ages
- the traverse wall is "cushioned" by use of stones and not mats and there is little distance between you and the adjacent wall / window ie potential for awkward falls
- there is no fingerboard or campus board
- atmosphere is lacking with holds and tools sitting around the place which added to the generally unfinished / DIY feel of the place
- OK for occasional training but not a venue many people would regularly frequent i guess

In reply to ksjs:
I reguarly frequent the place, but then i like the informal feel of it. I like to climb somewhere you know the staff, nobody is going to shout at you for having your oval karabiner upside down and there is a decent cafe.

In reply to carrot_boy:

I'm on the Wirral and tend to use Awesome over in Liverpool but some nights i just do bouldering, so a bouldering only place wouldn't put me off. If it were more central Chester I'd be up for giving it a go.

Foods a good idea but cooking is getting into more hassle than you probably want to deal with. Awesome in Liverpool stick to what people have already suggested. Packet energy foods, muffin, flapjack and (huge)cookies with tea, coffee and juice for drinks.

Good luck with this, given Awesome started in a small unit in Bootle 10 years or so ago it could go places if done right and the routs are kept fresh.

In reply to carrot_boy:

Yeah I often go just for bouldering so iwould def frequent this place ... Handy when no one can go climbing with you.

In reply to carrot_boy:

Yeah, another interested party here.
Would be up for a co-op style board too if this doesn't work out.

In reply to carrot_boy:

Would prefer climbing centre but yeh it'd be good.

In reply to ally smith:

A what now? like the supermarket?

In reply to carrot_boy: Choice is always good for competition

I think chester would be an ideal place for a wall, loads of students, pretty much on the way thru to everywhere, great transport links!!

In reply to carrot_boy:
Hey mate.
Saw this a little while ago and it got me thinking. I live in Chester and am a mad keen climber. Have some ideas which may be of interest - including finance (thought that'd get your attention!) If you can let me know a private e mail address I'd like to discuss things further...

In reply to carrot_boy: Ok, so the situation as it stands:
The venue we had our eye on looks like a non-starter.
Any of you local guys no any ideal locations for it?
Ta.

In reply to carrot_boy:
Working on it. But just realised you probably don't want to put a private e mail on a forum. So you can text me an e mail address on 07786 002 716? Would be happy to talk further. Nothing mega at the mo, just enthusiasm, but would be keen to find out more about who's involved, if I can help this project take off...

In reply to carrot_boy:
been watching this thread with interest. Live between Chester and E.Port.
VERY keen to find out more and help out in anyway I can.
Have you considered any of the buildings down by the docks just past Cheshire Oaks.
They are right on the M56 / M53 junction...and non climbing partners can spend their time Shopping at either the outlet village or the retail park.
I know a few business owners down there and will take a look over the next few days.

David