Following continued momentum across the UK, Clip ‘n Climb is set to open its third new franchise site of 2026 in Colchester this April. The launch follows recent openings in Gloucester and Croydon, signalling sustained growth for the brand and increasing demand for premium, family-focused active leisure experiences.
Located within Northern Gateway Leisure Park, the Colchester site represents a strategic addition to the network, combining the core Clip ‘n Climb attraction with complementary offers designed to maximise dwell time and broaden audience appeal.
The Colchester venue will feature 22 vibrant Clip ‘n Climb challenges and 30 climbing lines, offering varied routes and difficulty levels to appeal to climbers of all ages and abilities. Signature elements such as Leap of Faith, Stairway to Heaven and Face 2 Face sit alongside newer challenges including Quadra and Crunched, ensuring the concept continues to evolve and remain competitive within the active entertainment sector.
Alongside the fun climbing experience, the site introduces Play Den, a three-tier soft play concept aimed at younger children. This dual-offer approach reflects a growing trend in the sector: creating multi-generational destinations that cater to a wider family demographic all under one roof.
The inclusion of the South Ridge Café further supports this model, enhancing secondary spend opportunities and positioning the venue as a destination for longer visits rather than single-activity transactions.
Importantly, the Colchester site will include dedicated party areas, an integral part of the Clip ‘n Climb offering. Birthday parties represent a significant revenue stream for franchisees, typically contributing around 30% of total revenue across the network. With Clip ‘n Climb established as a go-to destination for children’s celebrations, the Colchester venue is well positioned to benefit from this high-demand segment from day one.
The Colchester site is operated by a group of four franchisees, bringing together both sector experience and fresh perspectives.
Brothers Jake and Joe Moore, founders of Curve Water Sports, have an established track record in the active leisure market. Their experience operating a successful outdoor attraction, which includes an inflatable aqua park and aqua climb, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, kayaking and e-bike rental provides a strong operational foundation for the new venture.
“We’ve seen firsthand how creating exciting, family-focused experiences can bring a community together,” says Jake Moore. “Clip ‘n Climb perfectly combines fun, fitness, and confidence-building under one roof, and we’re thrilled to bring this to Colchester. The support from the franchise team has been outstanding throughout the process, and we can’t wait to see the finished venue and begin this exciting new business venture.”
Joining Jake and Joe is Dr Leo Monzon and Naomi Lock, who bring professional experience from healthcare and finance. Leo is a Consultant Adult, Paediatric and Neonatal Interventional Radiologist while Naomi works in London’s Financial District. While new to the sector, their investment reflects the accessibility of the model to professionals seeking to diversify into the growing active entertainment market.
Collectively, the group reflects a new trend within the franchise network: a mix of experienced operators and first-time entrants, united by a shared focus of delivering a high-quality, experience-led leisure destination to their local community.
With the Colchester opening, Clip ‘n Climb continues to strengthen its presence across the UK, demonstrating the scalability and resilience of its franchise model. We currently have a range of locations available, including hot spots in Edinburgh, South Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, and Shrewsbury. For those considering a venture in the active family entertainment sector, our team is ready to provide more information and explore how a Clip ‘n Climb franchise could be the perfect fit.
