Opened in Liverpool in 2011 The Climbing Hangar now operates across five sites and has secured a £496,000 loan from a fund set up by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool indoor climbing attraction, The Climbing Hangar, has secured a £496,000 loan from a fund set up by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

Based at Sandhills, close to Liverpool’s north docks, The Climbing Hangar opened in 2011 and now operates five sites based across the UK employing more than 100 members of staff.

Now it has secured the loan from Mr Rotheram’s Flexible Growth Fund – powered by Growth Platform, managed by Liverpool-based MSIF’s fund manager subsidiary, Alliance Fund Managers (AFM).

Boasting half a million visits annually, The Climbing Hangar has a strong belief in the impact a challenging, supportive, progressive and fun activity can have on people’s lives, regardless of ability, age or fitness – advocating an inclusive environment for all.

The additional capital supports the opening of the new Matchworks Unit in south Liverpool, which is the fifth site. There has also been a full renovation of the Sandhills site ready for the re-start of the business, following lock-down restrictions earlier in the year.

The £20 million Flexible Growth Fund is part of the Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor’s £75 million business growth package, which can support the local business community to recover, grow and create jobs from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds are part of the Mayor’s long-term plan to deliver growth and to help the city region Build Back Better. Ged Mac, founder and director of The Climbing Hangar, said: “The FGF funding is an amazing opportunity to continue investing back into Liverpool, the city and people that nurtured and grew our now national company.

“Schemes such as this allow us to invest for the long term creating attractive facilities and jobs to help continue to make our city a great place to live and work.  So proud to continue to invest in growth back where it all started.”

Jeff Cummins, MSIF investment manager, added: “Now is a crucial time to back local business to ensure recovery, and growth. The opening of the new site will create and preserve more jobs for the Climbing Hangar team. It has been a pleasure to work with Ged and the Liverpool City Region Growth Platform to bring the investment to fruition.”