When is the Depot Manchester opening? This question has been doing rounds on social media for some time now, ever since plans were announced back in 2014. Since the BMC offices are just around the corner, we popped over to see just what all the fuss is about.
First impressions are just, wow. It’s huge. It’s so ginormous you could lose an elephant in it. After seeing it, on a scale of one to ten how excited are we? Eleven.
There’s so much climbing in this warehouse we don’t even know where to begin. What’s more, the place doesn’t feel cramped but remarkably spacious instead. In typical Depot fashion, they’ve utilised the space available in a well-thought-out manner. They’re taking bouldering walls to the next level.
To give you a rough comparison of how big it really is, the largest order from Core Climbing for boulder wall matting used to be 600m2. The Depot Manchester’s order was more than double at 1300m2. It might just be the biggest bouldering wall in Europe.
The BMC is definitely excited, particularly as it opens up a new venue to host a range of competitions, especially with this new 25m comp wall ready to go. And we’re already thinking of next year to the Open Youth Competition and Junior Bouldering Championships. Despite the massive amounts of space at the new wall, we’re sure we’ll still be able to pack it out.
Have a look at our quick video (sorry about the phone quality) to see how huge the central island in the main room is and to look at the long expanse competition wall itself.
Still trying to find out when it opens? Read our interview with Tom Newman, director of the Depot Nottingham and the new manager of the Depot Manchester, to find out.
How long has the idea for a Manchester Depot been knocking around?
There’s been a new Depot in the pipeline for a long time. But this isn’t the last Depot that’s going to be built, without a shadow of a doubt. The idea with the Manchester Depot is to set the standard for climbing centres in the future, they won’t settle for anything less than this now.
Is that the plan, to keep pushing the bar higher?
I think the way walls are going now is that they have to be amazing. These days, the there are some big players getting involved with building climbing walls. I think there’s no point in opening anything that wouldn’t put them off coming and opening next to you and putting you out of business.
It is absolutely amazing how much space there is in here.
It’s quite funny, I bring people in and show them round the first room and they’re like: “Oh my god!” And then I say let’s go into the other room now and the only response I hear is: “What. There's more?”
It seems like all the other walls in Manchester will soon be quivering in their boots.
I don’t know about that. I went to Rockover a couple of times to show my face because I don’t want there to be bad feelings. Ultimately, I think this centre is going to grow the climbing population in Manchester and introduce younger people to the sport. In the long run I think it will be a good thing.
Everyone will get more business and benefit from the Depot then?
I reckon so, that’s the plan.
So when’s the opening date?
We’re going for the 28th or 29th of December. Come check it out.
We certainly will. Thanks Tom and sorry about stepping in the wet paint ... twice – what an idiot!
If you're thinking of heading over, the new Depot Manchester is located on Mosley Road in Trafford Park and can be found on the BMC's
interactive map of climbing walls.
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