A new Derby business, which aims to attract the UK’s top climbers and provide tuition for the local community, has won the support of the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund.
Businessman Wayne Ridal plans to open the new £300,000 indoor climbing centre in a former industrial unit at Mason’s Place, Nottingham Road, Chaddesden, at the end of February.
The Climbing Unit, with rope and bouldering climbing facilities for both beginners and advanced sports people, has been supported with a £65,000 DEGF grant.
The £20 million Derby Enterprise Growth Fund (DEGF) is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund. Run by Derby City Council, DEGF aims to support growth and job creation in businesses in the city and surrounding area through a mix of loans and grants.
The Climbing Unit applied for grant support specifically to pay for the specialist matting required at the centre as part of the refurbishment which will create a competition wall, four-sided centre climbing wall, rope climbing area and children’s area.
Wayne Ridal was inspired to set up the business by his son Billy (16) who has been a member of the British Junior Climbing team.
He has already recruited one of the UK’s top climbing instructors Dan Bradley, who is a former member of the British Climbing team, and will create a further four full time and part time jobs ranging from climbing instructors to reception and administrative roles.
Mr Ridal said: “The East Midlands has a great deal of climbing talent including those competing at national and international level.
“We however need more indoor resources where both individuals and teams up to national level can train and compete and we will be providing bouldering walls which are a very challenging aspect of the sport.
“We will therefore attract climbers and competition organisers at this top level but also local people who want to climb recreationally. It is a very friendly sport which is a great way to get fit and highly addictive.
“As a new business, it was impossible to source funding from the banks and, having invested the majority of the money ourselves, we needed the support of the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund to get this venture off the ground.”
Derby City Council Leader Cllr Paul Bayliss, who chairs the DEGF panel of industry and financial experts who consider applications, said: “This new facility will provide much needed sport and leisure facilities for local people as well as attracting top competitors from the climbing community into the city.
“It is therefore a much needed resource which further builds the credentials of the city as a sporting centre of excellence and creates exciting job opportunities for local people in the growing leisure industry.”
Applications for the Derby Enterprise Growth Fund continue to be accepted by Derby City Council. To find out more visit: www.derby.gov.uk/degf. Alternatively call 01332 641628 or email degf@derby.gov.uk.
Source: Derby Enterprise Growth Fund
