Plea to give climbing centre lift

LESS than two weeks remain for you to help get plans for a new climbing centre off the ground.

Time To Care (UK) CIC, a community interest company, is aiming to transform the former Everett Charles Technologies premises on Goodall Street into a climbing and bouldering centre, multi-sports area, soft play centre, a community centre and cafe. A crowd-funding venture, which uses cash contributions from a large number of people via a website, was launched earlier this month but ends on September 2.

The aim is to raise £5,000 by offering donors incentives. For instance, £5 will get your name added to the traversing wall in the centre; £10 will get you an introduction climb or a soft play session; £50 will buy a climbing session for four people; while £5,000 will guarantee you lifetime access and free equipment.

Andy Brooke, codirector of Time to Care (UK), said: “The amount of money we have raised so quickly shows interest is good. However, crowd-funding is a new concept which might confuse some people.

“The way we view it is, you are simply supporting the project by buying your tickets early.

A few people have bought them as Christmas presents for nephews and nieces. We are also looking for local businesses to sponsor the centre and we can place company signs and logos around the centre. This will be good for local businesses to get involved in what we hope will be a great activity centre for the whole community.”

The £450,000 proposals were approved by Cheshire East Council’s strategic planning committee earlier this month and it could open by next spring.

The team behind it includes builder Andy Brooks and his wife Rachael, accountant Karen Montgomery, architect Ian Malyan and retired police sergeant Mick Warren. They are now in talks with Cheshire East Council and Peaks and Plains Housing Trust about funding.

All profits from the climbing centre will feed back into improving the facilities and funding its other social projects.

To see a video about the project visit crowdfunder.co.uk/ macclesfield-multiactivity-centre.