BIG CHANGES AT VAUXWEST
Big changes are coming to VauxWall West.
This month we celebrated 11 years of our first London centre, a huge milestone and one we’re immensely proud of!
Of course, 11 years of climbing, traffic, setting, and innovation in the world of climbing means our wonderful walls are showing their age a bit.
That’s why, this summer, we’re embarking on a big refurb project of two of our original arches, the cafe arch and the central (behind reception) arch.
What’s changing?
We love the climbing in the two arches, and vast parts of the wall angles and build will remain as they were (after a refresh of the panels!)
However, we’ll be changing the steels supporting the walls (installing curved supports instead of the flat ones currently in place) which will open up the space a bit more.
This change means we’re able to make improvements to some of the less-popular angles here and there, decisions made after extensive consultation with our head of routesetting and wider routesetting team.
We’ll also be re-panelling the walls in a clean plywood finish and re-carpeting and re-matting, so the space will be good for another 11 years!
What’s the timeline?
Work kicks off next week in the cafe arch.
Please note that, while works are ongoing on the cafe arch, the cafe will also be out of action.
You’ll still be able to access the changing/gym arch and comp wall, but you won’t be able to use the cafe/tables/sofas while work is ongoing.
The cafe arch will be out of action until early July.
Work on the central arch starts late July, and continues until early September.
We’ve planned these works carefully to ensure that only one arch will be unclimbable at a time.
VauxWall East will remain open throughout the works and, as with all other London Climbing Centres, your punchcards, memberships, and registration documents are valid there too.
Thank you for your understanding. It’s never ideal to reduce the climbing on offer, but as a long-running centre this type of ongoing maintenance is a crucial part of our commitment to consistently reinvest in our facilities.
We can’t wait to open up the refreshed arches at the end of summer and fill them with some special blocs.