Climbing zone at shopping centre gets go-ahead

Plans for climbing walls and a soft play area at a shopping centre have been given the go-ahead.

They will be built on the first floor mezzanine at Gloucester Quays, alongside a cafe.

Leisure business Clip 'n Climb UK is expected to operate the site, which was described by Gloucester Quays LLP as a "theme park meets climbing wall" in its plan submissions.

Gloucester City Council approved the plans on Friday. The developers now have three years to begin building.

The plans also include party rooms, a buggy park, a shop and staff facilities. The whole 1,256 sq m space on the upper floor of the shopping centre will be used.

Planning consultants previously said the climbing zone and soft play would bring "wider economic benefits by encouraging longer stays within the city centre and increasing footfall", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The consultants said the facilities will create a number of jobs, with employees "generally being sought from the local area".

Gloucester Quays, which opened in 2009, was originally intended to have leisure spaces, the consultants added.

Prior to the application for the climbing wall, several alterations to improve accessibility were made to the top deck of the shopping centre, including the installation of two escalators. These did not require planning permission.

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