In reply to our questions to KAL regarding the closure of the Huddersfield Leisure Centre bouldering and lead wall, Ruth and I received the following observations:
”Thank you for customer comment regarding the climbing wall.
Following opening of Huddersfield Leisure Centre in 2015, KAL leased the climbing wall area to an external provider. This provider operated the climbing wall around 5 years, until the end of the initial lease period at which point they decided to cease operating the area in line with the lease terms.
Post their exit, KAL have openly advertised to the market on 2 separate occasions for expressions of interest to operate the climbing wall. Despite this leading to several conversations/explorations, progressing to various stages, with potential operators, we have been unable to find a suitable operator to take on the area.
The feedback received from potential operators has consistently been around the area not being large enough to be viable, linked to increasing competition in the area.
KAL have been consistent in that they will not operate the wall directly as it is a specialist area and best suited to a specialist provider.
Having gone through the process of seeking an operator several times without a positive outcome and having received very similar feedback from several potential operators, KAL's trustees agreed to the permanent closure of the wall.”
