The ‘state-of-the-art’ venue will also have a café
The Wilko store on Union Street, Bristol before its closure(Image: Google Maps)
The former Wilko store in Bristol city centre is set to be transformed into a huge indoor climbing centre. The 25,000 sq ft unit on Union Street has been empty since the retailer closed its doors in October 2023.
It has now been let to The Climbing Hangar to be “repurposed into a state-of-the-art indoor climbing facility” with bouldering facilities, coaching and a café/social space for events.
On its website, the firm has announced a “next-level bouldering gym” coming soon to Bristol, saying: “Climbers in Briz have a lot to get excited about.”
It said the new venue would have two floors of bouldering with more than 300 climbs across different grades of difficulty. There will also be a 50 degree Kilter Board, 40 degree Tension Board, strength training gym and café.
The first Climbing Hangar opened in a warehouse in Liverpool in 2011. It now has ten sites across the UK including in Exeter, Plymouth, Sheffield and Swansea.
The Climbing Hangar is set to open inside the former Wilko store on Union Street, Bristol city centre(Image: Hartnell Taylor Cook)
The Bristol deal was brokered by commercial property consultancy Hartnell Taylor Cook on behalf of landlord AEW.
Richard Saunders, partner at Hartnell Taylor Cook, said: “We are delighted to have secured The Climbing Hangar for this significant city centre site.
“This deal reflects the ongoing shift in large retail spaces towards experience-led occupiers and The Climbing Hangar will be a fantastic addition to Bristol, bringing fresh energy and activity to the area.”
The new indoor climbing venue is scheduled to open in late summer.