Birmingham’s premier indoor climbing company has bemoaned the treatment of the leisure industry during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Rock Up, situated within Broadway Plaza, is counting down the days to hopefully re-opening its doors next week once the second national lockdown is lifted.
But Mark de Quervain, sales and marketing director for Rock Up, which has six other venues around the UK, does not believe leisure venues such as gyms have had a fair crack of the whip under government restrictions.
He said: “It does feel that the leisure industry among a few others has been singled out as first line closures.
“Our business is great for kids’ fitness and wellbeing and more in a government-compliant and COVID-secure environment.
“It’s been a very challenging time for the company, our fabulous team and our local communities. The first lockdown was very tough, but the second has hit the business hard just as we were picking ourselves up.
“It’s incredibly difficult to stop and start a business as there are associated costs to doing this each time and taking time to ramp up. We hope this will be everyone’s last lockdown.”
Mr de Quervain said they were able to re-open at the start of August following the lifting of the first lockdown, and responded to the efforts of the NHS in tackling the virus by running a free climbing event for NHS staff and their families.
He said: “We had to cut back on climbing capacity and soft play opened in a limited way after our fun climbing due to government guidelines.
“Then we had to adapt to numerous other changes such as the rule of six regulations which meant changing how we book parties and groups.
“We adapted and kept ahead and aligned with all COVID updates and changes, making sure we maintained our COVID secure status. The teams had to work harder and longer hours to ensure all was fully compliant.”
Mr Quervain said business was “not surprisingly” down on last year, in part due to reduced capacities, but also the new tier status regulations which impacted Birmingham.
He added: “If we had not been able to re-open in August and have a great half-term, then this lockdown would have been even more difficult and painful for us.
“However, with new vaccines on the short and medium-term horizon, and the hope we can re-open as planned next week, we are ready to throw open our doors once again.”
Mike Olley said: “Rock Up is another great Westside business that has worked so hard to make sure it’s safe for workers and customers.
“We sincerely hope to see it fully up and working again once the current lockdown is over.”
● Customers can book activities from 4 December and purchase gift vouchers for Christmas at www.rock-up.co.uk/birmingham.
By Tony Collins
