Blackpool skating aces aim to scale new heights

Blackpool ice skating stars are set to test the vertical limit with a new attraction creating more than 30 jobs.
Stairway to Heaven which will feature at Clip n Climb Blackpool.Stairway to Heaven which will feature at Clip n Climb Blackpool.
Stairway to Heaven which will feature at Clip n Climb Blackpool.

Daniel Whiston and Karen Barber are aiming to bring adrenaline-fuelled fun to the resort with its first dedicated indoor climbing centre.

They have teamed up with business partners Anne and Ben Wade for plans to convert a unit at the Whitehills Business Park into a Clip ‘n Climb centre.

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Aimed at ages four to 104, Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool will provide a host of fun climbing obstacles as well as climbing walls more than 25ft high.

The Speed Climb which will feature at Clip n Climb BlackpoolThe Speed Climb which will feature at Clip n Climb Blackpool
The Speed Climb which will feature at Clip n Climb Blackpool

The obstacles are themed and include Face 2 Face climbing, Speed Climb, Stairway to Heaven, Twister and Dry Ice. There will also be a Vertical Drop Slide which at 8.5m is the highest of any Clip ‘n’ Climb centre in the UK.

A planning application has been submitted to Fylde Council to establish the 2,500 sq ft facility at Whitehills Business Park which, if approved, will see the Fylde-based business partners create 10 full-time and 25 part-time positions. Dancing on Ice star Daniel said: “We are incredibly excited about Clip ‘n Climb Blackpool. This will be a fantastic new attraction for the whole of the Fylde coast and is something that will appeal to a wide range of people.

“The obstacles can be as challenging as you want them to be.

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“We do expect to be very popular with families and young people but the facilities are also perfect for team-building exercises, confidence building, climbing clubs and exercise. It’s almost climbing walls meeting a theme park.”

L-R Ben Wade, Anne Wade, Karen Barber & Daniel Whiston look over the plans for Clip n Climb Blackpool inside the unit where it will be located at Apollo Court on Whitehills Business Park,L-R Ben Wade, Anne Wade, Karen Barber & Daniel Whiston look over the plans for Clip n Climb Blackpool inside the unit where it will be located at Apollo Court on Whitehills Business Park,
L-R Ben Wade, Anne Wade, Karen Barber & Daniel Whiston look over the plans for Clip n Climb Blackpool inside the unit where it will be located at Apollo Court on Whitehills Business Park,

Daniel is joined in the venture by fellow TV ice star and Olympian Karen Barber and Fylde-based business partners Anne and Ben Wade. Between them the foursome already operate eight food outlets as well as the recently launched Beach Tavern food-court in South Shore.

Anne said: “As a business partnership this is something we have been working on for some time now.

“It’s great to be bringing something completely new and different to the area and something that we feel confident will appeal to such a wide range of people.”

Clip ‘n Climb was first introduced to the UK 15 years ago from New Zealand.

The venture also includes plans for a 50-plus seater café toddlers soft play area and viewing area.

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