A Yorkshire indoor climbing operator has secured a £150,000 loan from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to expand its business with the launch of a third venue.
Freeklime, which currently has centres in Huddersfield and York, has already started construction at the new site in Lincoln, which is due to open early next year. The funding will enable it to complete the fit-out and create seven new jobs.
Freeklime was founded by climbing enthusiast Chris Whitehead, the managing director, and his father Rob, a serial entrepreneur who runs the Serious Sweet Confectionery Group in Harrogate and acts as a non-executive director.
They launched the Huddersfield centre in 2019 and York in 2023. Between them, the two sites now attract around 100,000 visitors a year and have over 1,000 members on monthly subscriptions.
The company, which currently employs 16 staff, aims to have five profitable sites by 2030 with a turnover of £3m.
Chris Whitehead, founder and managing director of Freeklime, said: “The funding will enable us to expand outside Yorkshire for the first time in line with our long-term growth plans and our mission to make climbing accessible to a wider audience.”
Andy Clough of Mercia Debt added: “Chris is an enthusiastic climber who understands what makes a great climbing centre. The business has been growing turnover year on year. We are pleased to support the team with the launch of this new centre and help establish Freeklime as a leading regional independent.”
