When experienced investors assess a franchise opportunity, one question often stands above the rest: Does the business model scale?
For Clip ‘n Climb franchisee Simon Jobson, the answer has been clear. Since opening his first centre in Wandsworth in February 2024, Simon has expanded his portfolio at an exceptional pace. Following the success of Clip ‘n Climb Wandsworth, he went on to open Clip ‘n Climb at The O2 in October 2024, Clip ‘n Climb Croydon in February 2026, and is now preparing to launch Clip ‘n Climb Colindale in August 2026.
Before entering the leisure industry, Simon spent many years working in finance in the City of London. With extensive commercial experience, he approached franchise ownership as an investment decision, carefully evaluating a range of opportunities before selecting Clip ‘n Climb.
His financial background meant he was looking for more than an exciting concept. He wanted a business with strong fundamentals, opportunities for growth, and a model that could be replicated across multiple locations.
Reflecting on his decision, Simon has previously explained that Clip ‘n Climb offered the right balance between commercial potential and operational flexibility, allowing him to build a growing portfolio while enjoying greater work-life balance than his previous career in finance.
While many franchisees begin with a single site, Simon’s intention from the outset was always to expand.
After successfully launching Wandsworth, he recognised the operational efficiencies that come with multi-unit ownership. Shared management expertise, staffing, marketing knowledge and operational processes enabled him to replicate success across additional locations while benefiting from economies of scale.
Today, Simon operates three successful centres across London, with Colindale becoming his fourth. He’s also exploring opportunities to open additional centres in the future.
Scheduled to open in August 2026, Clip ‘n Climb Colindale will bring the brand to North London for the first time.
Located on Capitol Way, the new centre will feature 26 of Clip ‘n Climb’s signature climbing challenges alongside a brand-new four-tier Play Den soft play area. By combining fun climbing with complementary attractions under one roof, the centre has been designed to appeal to families across multiple age groups while creating additional revenue opportunities through soft play, birthday parties, café sales and repeat visits.
Commenting on the opening, Simon said:
“I’ve always seen Clip ‘n Climb as a scalable business. Each site has built on the success of the last, and the model has proven it can be replicated across different locations with the right operational support. That ability to grow a portfolio, rather than just a single site, has been key for me. I am excited to see Colindale open its doors in August.”
Simon represents a growing profile of Clip ‘n Climb franchisee: experienced business professionals seeking a proven leisure concept with long-term growth potential.
His journey demonstrates several key strengths of the franchise model:
Growing from one centre to four in just over two years is a significant achievement and reflects the confidence Simon continues to place in the Clip ‘n Climb brand.
2026 has already been a landmark year for Clip ‘n Climb, with five new franchise centres opening, more than in any previous year, and further developments planned across the UK.
To learn more about current franchise opportunities, including our latest location at Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, contact our Franchise Sales Representative, Lloyd, who will be happy to discuss available territories and help you take the next step.
