A climbing wall will open in Surrey Quays Shopping Centre as a new company takes over former Arch Climbing Centre site.
The new climbing centre, Gantry Climbing CIC has been set up by local climber Andy Savage, who previously climbed at The Arch before it closed in October 2025.
Users of The Arch said on Facebook that they were sent an email that the centre would be closed immediately but that the nearby wall in Bermondsey will reman open.
Gantry Climbing site will reopen the Surrey Quays site next month and will welcome experienced climbers and complete beginners with bouldering walls for both adults and younger climbers.
Surrey Quays Shopping Centre is set to be demolished, but will stay open until the replacement Tesco Extra is finished in late 2028 or 2029.
As a Community Interest Company, Gantry Climbing says it hopes to build strong links with the surrounding community, including local schools, families, youth groups and community organisations, helping more people in the area access climbing.
Andy Savage, founder of Gantry Climbing, said: “When The Arch closed, it felt like the community had lost something really valuable.
“I climbed here myself, so I knew the centre and understood what it meant to the people who used it. When the opportunity came up to bring climbing back to Surrey Quays, I really wanted to make that happen.
“With Gantry, we want to keep the things people loved about climbing here, while also making sure the centre plays a bigger role in the local community.
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“We’d love to work with schools, families and local groups and introduce climbing to people who may never have tried it before. Climbing is such a brilliant way to get active, build confidence and challenge yourself, and we want Gantry to feel welcoming whether you have been climbing for years or are stepping onto the wall for the first time.”
The site is currently being built and a confirmed public opening date will be announced soon.
For updates, visit www.gantryclimbing.com
