Young entrepreneurs who are turning a Highland church into an indoor climbing centre are launching a crowdfunding campaign today in a final push to raise the cash needed to open later this year.
Oliver Millington, 24, and his 25-year-old girlfriend Naomi Hatto have been granted planning permission and listed building consent for the project at Fort William’s MacIntosh Memorial Church in Fassifern Road.
Their plans won the support of the judges in Lochaber’s “Dragons’ Glen” competition, inspired by the Dragons’ Den TV show, which won them £7,500 in November of last year.
And they have already raised £360,000 of the £400,000 needed for the first phase of their new business venture that will provide a much-needed wet weather activity in the Lochaber town, which is well-known for its high level of rainfall.
Phase one involves renovating an extension on the side of the grade three listed property to accommodate a bouldering wall. This is shorter than a climbing wall and is climbed without ropes and harnesses.
But they still need to find the remaining £40,000 to enable the project to go ahead and they have set themselves the target of raising this in 28 days from today’s online launch of their crowdfunding appeal.
Mr Millington, who is a mountain training instructor, said he and Miss Hatto, who is a sports massage therapist, were hoping work on phase one could start in April and that it would open for business in the autumn.
The second phase of the project, which will cost a further £450,000 involves work to the main building to create a climbing wall, another bouldering wall, a cafe, a sports massage facility and a soft play area.
Mr Millington said: “I think the local community is quite keen to see it happen and the local business community has been very supportive.
“It is seen as a draw and most people can see the benefit of providing something for people to do when it’s raining.”
He explained that there were different ways of using crowdfunding and they were going for a donations approach.
Those pledging money can qualify for different rewards, including a specially designed limited edition T-shirt and reduced cost membership, with the reward received relating to the amount pledged.
Mr Millington said: “Crowdfunding is quite new and popular in other parts of the UK, but it is under-utilised in Scotland so it will be interesting to see how it goes up here.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/three-wise-monkeys-climbing