South Lanarkshire Council is supporting a popular new business in Hamilton.
The Hang On Climbing Centre is becoming a hit destination for visitors after converting an empty unit in a shopping centre into one of the country’s largest climbing gyms.
The venue focuses on bouldering, climbing without ropes and has a huge range of climbing walls to encourage beginners and challenge experts.
Hang On contacted the council’s Economic Development Team early in the development of the business and received advice and guidance and a South Lanarkshire Business Support Grant of £8000 towards the purchase of specialist equipment for the climbing centre.
The team also helped with referrals to other council departments including planning and building control and to Business Gateway Lanarkshire for further expert advice.
Getting the family-run business off the ground has been hard, with the pressures of the pandemic adding to the challenge.
Doug Meyerhoff says the council support has helped his business develop and grow.
He said: “It has been a tough few years for everyone. For us being in this business together as a family helped us keep going though the pandemic, but I won’t deny that support measures for business including grants from the council were a big help too.
“As we as a community start to really focus on recovery, I am confident that Hang On delivers something unique enough to bring in the business we need but also to deliver a wider benefit by increasing footfall for surrounding town centre businesses.”
Matt Meyerhoff said: “You could say indoor climbing really came of age when it was included as an Olympic Sport for Tokyo 2020 now we are aiming for the top as the pandemic recovery continues.
“As a family business we are really keen to be seen as part of the community. We are a living wage employer and want to develop ideas such as autism friendly sessions to increase access to the sport of indoor climbing as a leisure activity, fitness regime or as a competitive sport.”
The council’s head of planning and economic development, Pauline Elliot, said: “Hang On brings a new destination attraction to the heart of a traditional town centre and in addition to being a great asset for Hamilton and South Lanarkshire perhaps also adds a new element to the discussion about how the well documented difficulties facing high streets across the country can be met.
“Hang On is already attracting interest from across Scotland and with their first anniversary climbing competition they are aiming to bring visitors from further afield, but at its core as a business it offers local people easy access to an exciting and healthy activity that is rapidly growing in popularity.”
SLC's economic development service offers support and advice to businesses to help with start-ups, development and growth.
South Lanarkshire Business Support Grant is the name for the South Lanarkshire element of Business Competitiveness Grant Support Lanarkshire which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered and part funded by North and South Lanarkshire Councils.
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