Gloucester Quays has secured permission this May 2025 to turn its empty upper deck into a 'fun climbing' and soft play centre.
The shopping centre submitted an application to Gloucester City Council to use its upper deck for indoor sport, recreation or fitness – with climbing-based activity franchise, Clip n' Climb UK, the 'most likely' business to occupy the space – in March 2025.
The planning committee has now approved the change of use for the space, meaning work can begin imminently.
Clip n' Climb is a 'fun climbing' activity open to all ages, featuring climbing walls incorporating elements like ladders, moving parts, a slide, soft play and a whole lot more.
The activity is described as 'perfect' for kids, families, parties and corporate events and is popular internationally — with 360 centres worldwide — having begun in New Zealand in 2005 and opened its flagship UK site in Plymouth in 2017.
The centre at Gloucester Quays is also set to include a cafe, while escalators have already been installed to provide access to the upper deck.
The scheme will not result in any additional floorspace being created within the outlet, nor will any of its permitted factory outlet shopping floorspace be given up.
Planning consultants described the scheme as 'reflecting the spirit' of the original planning permission granted for the Quays, which included leisure use; and say it brings an 'underutilised' space within the city centre into use, delivering economic benefits including jobs for local people and boosting other businesses at the shopping centre by increasing footfall and encouraging longer stays.
