Kent’s largest indoor climbing centre which launched a year ago, only to shut six months later due to Covid-19, says it has had a strong restart since reopening.

While many businesses have struggled due to coronavirus, The Climbing Experience in the Powerhub Business Centre, Maidstone, has been able to adapt since opening its doors again last month.

The maximum number of people allowed in the centre at one time has been reduced, it curtailed its opening hours, stepped up cleaning and uses contact tracing with every customer.

It even has a specialist liquid chalk which has a high alcohol content so can sanitise hands.

The co-founder Robert Woods said: “To use a climbing term, it certainly has been an up and down 12 months but we have been delighted with the numbers of people returning after lockdown.

“I know that we have created a good business in the right area. It is simply a case of getting through this difficult period which everyone is experiencing.

"We operate in an extremely Covid-secure premises and our centre is perfect for anyone striving to improve their physical well-being.

“It may be that we have benefited from a bounce back effect. Customers, both adult climbers and children and their parents, have missed being able to come and climb and we have seen a strong resurgence from people wanting to get back to climbing.

"One of the unique qualities is the sense of community here among our customers. I believe we have managed this well and is one of the factors of our success."

The sport is one of the fastest growing in the UK and is praised for its ability to build up fitness. Mr Woods says an intense climbing session can burn between 600 and 1,000 calories an hour.

To mark the reopening, the centre had a visit from MP Helen Grant who even had a go at scaling some of the boulders.

The MP for Maidstone and The Weald said: “I was very impressed by the community spirit that was evident here and the range from very young children learning how to climb to some incredibly gifted adults displaying some awesome climbing manoeuvres.

"I was delighted to hear that they have had a strong restart and I am sure that they will build on this, as long as it remains safe to do so.

"It is imperative that facilities like The Climbing Centre continue to thrive and I wish Robert and his team the best of luck."

The centre has around 180 routes which are reset on a weekly basis.

It also has a purpose-built studio offering yoga and fitness classes as well as a café.

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