PARTHIAN CLIMBING, the community-focused indoor climbing company, is to open a 25000sqft state-of-the-art climbing experience at Southside Shopping Centre in Wandsworth, South-West London. The launch of Parthian Climbing Wandsworth this summer will herald an expansion programme for the brand as it prepares to open its fifth wall within the UK.
Founded in 2004 by climber John Dunne, Parthian Climbing is a high-quality provider of climbing instruction and coaching. Parthian Climbing Wandsworth will be the first indoor climbing facility in the UK to include an exact replica of ‘The Titan’, the bouldering wall which will feature at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Climbing World Championships Bern 2023, developed in partnership with the International Federation of Sport Climbing.
The space will also include a strength and conditioning gym and a specialist climbing retail offer. Completing the facility will be a café with a light menu available throughout the day, a bar and co-working space taking advantage of the extensive views at the venue. Wandsworth joins Parthian Climbing’s existing sites in Manchester, Reading, Harrogate, and Southampton with EP CLIMBING having played a role in the development of each from complete builds to renovations and new wall installations.
Working in collaboration with EP Climbing, a market leader in creating tailor-made solutions for climbing and leisure experiences around the world, the leading edge wall is set to attract professional athletes worldwide as a training tool in the run-up to the Olympics. In addition, the bouldering, auto-belays, and roped climbing (both top rope and lead) will appeal to all levels, from families to climbing enthusiasts.
The relationship between EP Climbing and Parthian Climbing CEO John Dunne has so far spanned over 30 years, dating back to EP’s sponsorship of Dunne in 1989 and the distribution of the climber’s hold range ‘Ninth Life’ in the late 90s through to building Parthian Climbing’s walls today.
All Parthian Climbing centres offer sessions for young climbers on the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS), group events for clubs such as Scouts and Brownies and school sessions developed around the GCSE PE curriculum.
Parthian Climbing CEO John Dunne said, “Parthian Climbing Wandsworth is going to be a unique experience. Our longstanding relationship with EP Climbing has enabled us to create a new concept that will appeal to all levels and abilities, with The Titan putting us on the map as a global climbing attraction while also embedding Parthian Climbing in the local community.
“This is a key moment for Parthian Climbing and the whole team is committed to creating something exceptional. Not only is this going to be a fantastic location to showcase the Parthian Climbing brand, but Wandsworth Southside will allow us to continue our work with the community and young climbers on the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS).”
Mike Dawe, MD of EP Climbing UK, added, “Parthian Climbing Wandsworth is an amazing project that has pushed to new heights what is possible in indoor climbing. Re-creating The Titan is a milestone, and we are confident it will boost Britain’s hopes of climbing medals in Paris next year, while also delivering a real legacy piece for the community.”
