Dear Castle Climbing Centre Management,

We, the undersigned climbers of the Castle Climbing Centre, want to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent removal of the top-rope climbing area. This change has significantly reduced climbing options for many of us, including members of the GB Para Climbing team, climbers with accessibility needs, and numerous others whose primary focus is top-roping.

We have long valued the inclusivity and diverse range of climbing options that Castle offers. The loss of this space not only hampers the training and progression of a committed community, but it also diminishes the sense of belonging we have found here. We also note that the top-rope areas are often booked for training, and the remaining top-rope routes are very crowded, making them less enjoyable and leading to safety concerns both on and off the wall.

We all pay substantial entry or membership fees, and we now feel that this investment no longer aligns with the services we receive. Furthermore, the limited number of routes (combined with the frequency of route updates) means that many climbers have less opportunities to improve.

We urge the management to reconsider this decision. We request either the reinstatement of the top-rope area or alternative solutions. We would also greatly appreciate the addition of more leading areas, as the current leading options are also limited and now even more crowded.

We hope for a swift and positive response, as some of us are now considering leaving the centre.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned Climbers of Castle Climbing Centre