Dismay as climbing club scheme dropped by uni

An empty sports club in Bath has been left abandoned after plans to turn it into an indoor climbing centre were shelved.

- Phoebe Hobbs

Disappointed local businessman Jon Phelps, 39, had been working with the University of Bath to renovate the Sulis Club on the edge of the city for a number of years.

Jon, who is co-founder of the climbing start-up Ascent, had the idea to use the Sulis Club in 2020.

The university, which has owned the building since 2006, had already begun stripping it as part of the renovations when they made the “difficult decision” not to proceed with the project last month.

The University of Bath says it faces a “very challenging financial environment” and that the plans were no longer a responsible investment.

It added that it made very significant investments in sports each year and that the Sulis Club pitches were still available for recreational sporting use.

"It was very surprising and disappointing," said Jon. "I spent a couple of sleepless nights thinking about the way ahead."