270 Climbing Park marks first year of trading following £7m investment

270 Climbing Park in Gloucestershire has reached a key milestone, marking its first 12 months of trading following a £7 million investment in the development.

The family-run business is owned by twin brothers Robert and David Stevens, with additional private investors holding 40 per cent of the equity. The project has been supported by the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), enabling tax-efficient private investment, alongside a loan from the Gloucestershire Infrastructure Fund.

David Stevens, Director, said: “Reaching our first 12 months of trading is an important milestone for 270 Climbing. The project has been a long-term investment in both the business and the local community, and we are pleased with the early demand. Our focus now is on optimising the business and continuing to develop 270 Climbing as a sustainable and versatile facility for the future.”

The development followed the sale of the brothers’ previous business, Paragon Laundry in Cheltenham, in 2015. Rather than exiting into passive investment, the Stevens brothers chose to reinvest the proceeds into a capital-intensive leisure project. They also brought sector experience to the venture, having operated The Warehouse Climbing Centre since 1994, one of the UK’s earliest indoor climbing facilities.

Construction of the site began in November 2021, progressing through a volatile economic period that included COVID-related disruption, significant inflation in construction materials, rising interest rates, and planning complexity alongside site remediation. The six-acre park was delivered in phases to manage risk and allow trading to begin earlier, with initial elements opening from 2022 onwards.

Demand-led growth was demonstrated with the opening of the bouldering centre in late 2024, when over 700 memberships were sold in the first month. Subsequent phases diversified the business across multiple revenue streams, including memberships and day passes, coaching and youth programmes, events and competitions, and food and beverage.

The final phase of the development was completed in July 2025, with the opening of a purpose-built Olympic-standard climbing arena, enabling the venue to host competitions across bouldering, lead and speed climbing.

While early demand has been strong, the founders acknowledge that operating costs across the experiential leisure sector have risen sharply, particularly for specialist equipment and staffing. With the full facility now operational, the business is focused on optimisation, customer feedback and long-term sustainability as it enters its next phase of trading.