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The Hidden Complexity of Buying or Selling a Climbing Wall
As the climbing industry matures, the movement of physical climbing wall structures - panels, frames, steelwork, bouldering islands, rope walls, auto belay lines, Clip and Climb elements (modular sections) - has increased dramatically. Refits, expansions, relocations, and closures now happen far more frequently, creating a growing market for used climbing wall assets. But despite the demand, there has never been a structured or confidential way to buy or sell the walls them

Jez Tapping
Nov 134 min read
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🔑 The Golden Quarter for Indoor Climbing Centres: Why January–March Could Be Your Biggest Commercial Opportunity
Not all gyms survive. The Arch - Acton. For indoor climbing centres, there’s a three-month window referred to as the Golden Quarter : January to March. The data tells the story clearly: January consistently sees the highest footfall of the year  (on par with September), averaging ~9.5% of annual visits . Most centres, even without much effort, convert this into 10–13% of annual income , compared with a baseline of ~8.3% per month . With the right strategy, January can contrib
iclimbiconsult
Oct 312 min read
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Benchmarking for Indoor Climbing Gyms: The Data That Drives Growth
By Jez Tapping, Indoor Climbing Industry Consultant Most UK climbing walls track something - check-ins, memberships sold, maybe even...

Jez Tapping
Oct 14 min read
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Clip and Climb: More Than Just a Gateway – A Core Player in the Indoor Climbing Ecosystem
Discover why Clip and Climb centres are more than just colourful playgrounds — they’re a critical part of the indoor climbing ecosystem. Learn how NICAS Clip boosts retention, how these facilities outperform trampoline parks and soft play in long-term engagement, and why strategic partnerships with traditional gyms can turn fun into lifelong climbing journeys

Jez Tapping
Sep 23 min read
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What Indoor Climbing Can Learn from Earthquakes, Celebrities, and the NFL:
August 2025 Trends Through a Climber’s Lens August 2025 has been a wild one. From a minor earthquake in New Jersey shaking the East Coast...

Jez Tapping
Aug 32 min read
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How Indoor Climbing Gyms Can Be at the Forefront of the Mental Health Movement
Student all night event @Westway Climbing. Strong community. Strong bottom line. As an indoor climbing industry expert , I’ve seen...

Jez Tapping
Aug 14 min read
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🎯 What Climbing Gyms Can Learn From Glastonbury, Zara, and the NBA Draft: 10 Cultural Trends Fueling Community and Business Growth
Stay culturally relevant!!! As the indoor climbing industry evolves, centre managers and business developers are looking beyond the...
iclimbiconsult
Jun 263 min read
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Coaching as a Business Strategy - Maximising ROI in Indoor Climbing Centres
Coaching: The Financial Backbone of a Thriving Climbing Centre For many climbing wall owner-operators, coaching is often seen as an...

Jez Tapping
Jun 32 min read
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The indoor climbing industry is feeling the pressure – and it’s time for reflection, strategy and positive action.
A victim - The Arch, Acton. Since March, the sector has faced a perfect storm: extended periods of good weather, continued pressure on...

Jez Tapping
May 302 min read
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What Do Darts, Haribo, and Roland-Garros Have to Do with UK Climbing?
It’s been a busy week in the news: Haribo sweets being recalled, the drama of Roland-Garros heating up, darts players becoming national...
iclimbiconsult
May 302 min read
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Mystery Shoppers: The Smartest Investment You’re Not Making
A Climbing PI Every climbing wall operator knows the feeling. You walk the floor, chat to the team, scan the rota, tweak the signage… and...
iclimbiconsult
May 172 min read
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Why Indoor Climbing Gyms Need to Rethink Team Composition
The Westway Climbing Team going above and beyond for the ITV The Games Speed Climbing Event (in the rain no less) TL;DR Indoor climbing...

Jez Tapping
May 16 min read
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Are Big Chains Destroying Independent Climbing Walls?
A Summary and Expert Analysis The ongoing debate on the UKClimbing forums around whether “big chains are destroying independent climbing...
iclimbiconsult
Apr 283 min read
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The Most Common Things Missed by Struggling Climbing Gyms
Most climbing gym owners are doing a lot right - they invest in membership sales, aim to grow revenue, and put effort into attracting new...
iclimbiconsult
Apr 164 min read
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How to Get Your Climbing Wall Off the Ground: A Simple Guide to Success
Opening a climbing gym - whether it’s your first venture or an expansion into a multi-site business - is an exciting but complex journey....

Jez Tapping
Apr 23 min read
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Unlocking Sponsorship Revenue for Your Climbing Gym
Sponsorship is an underutilised but highly valuable revenue stream for indoor climbing gyms. It provides financial support, equipment,...

Jez Tapping
Mar 54 min read
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Scaling Up : Why professional consultants are essential for climbing gym growth
The evolving indoor climbing gym industry is increasingly relying on commercial consultants to enhance business operations and growth....

Jez Tapping
Mar 34 min read
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Climbing operators common pain points
Running a climbing wall business can be a challenging. From managing staff and customers, ensuring safety protocols are followed and...

Jez Tapping
Mar 37 min read
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