Former Morpeth cinema to be transformed into climbing centre

A former Northumberland cinema is set to be transformed into a bouldering centre, backed up by a business which staged the sport at two Olympic Games.

The big screen will be replaced by even bigger climbing walls at the old Coliseum Cinema in Morpeth, Northumberland, where Northumberland Bouldering plans to create a new state-of-the-art climbing and fitness hub.

Woolsington-based Architects-Group has developed creative commissions the indoor bouldering centre on behalf of Northumberland Bouldering, and the plans are supported by EP Climbing, the company behind the last two Olympic Games sport climbing walls, at Tokyo in 2021 and Paris last summer. The proposals will see a sports facility featuring a climbing related gym, a shop with shoe hire and climbing gear), and a ‘healthy’ café, as well as the climbing walls on the first floor of the building.

Plans include designs for a mezzanine floor together with a wellness room, which could be used for yoga and pilates classes, kickboxing sessions and children’s parties. The scheme will need planning permission for a change of use and discussions are already under way with parties that could potentially provide funding for the project.

The popular cinema in New Market closed in 2000 and has also been used as a nightclub, but Architects-Group managing director Tony Harmieson said it could be transformed into an ‘exciting and dynamic’ facility that will cater for people of all ages. Bouldering is a style of climbing carried out closer to the ground without the use of ropes and harnesses, and with crash matting for protection, so it is viewed as more accessible to people looking for a different way to stay fit and participate in leisure activities.

A survey carried out by the Association of British Climbing Walls this year reveals that the development of climbing facility chains, as well as bouldering-only facilities, has been on the rise in the UK with hundreds of thousands of participants enjoying the challenge.

Mr Harmieson said: “Our designs are set to deliver an exciting, dynamic and state-of-the-art climbing centre that will be a big benefit to local people and climbing enthusiasts while simultaneously bringing a popular building back to life.

“As design-led architects, we have a passion for beautiful, eye-catching creative concepts and to be involved in a transformative project like this one within the heart of this popular town, will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase our expertise and creativity.”