Scaling Up: Clip ’n Climb franchise expands to Croydon

Clip ’n Climb is pleased to announce the opening of a new centre in Croydon, marking the second franchise site scheduled to open this year alongside Gloucester Quays. With another five additional locations already in development for later in 2026, this demonstrates the brand’s continued momentum and the sustained demand for high-quality, experience-led leisure destinations across the UK.

The Croydon site will be operated by Simon Jobson, an established multi-unit Clip ’n Climb franchisee. This will be Simon’s third location within the network, following the successful launch of Clip ’n Climb at The O2 and Clip ’n Climb Wandsworth, both opening within a nine-month period in 2024. This demonstrates the strong commercial performance and scalability of the Clip ’n Climb franchise model. A fourth site is also in development, and we look forward to sharing further details later this year.

Catering to all age groups

The Croydon centre will feature 24 exciting climbing challenges, alongside a multi-level soft play area (Play Den). The inclusion of a complementary soft play offering strengthens the centre’s appeal as a family destination, enabling it to cater effectively to a broad range of age groups. While older siblings climb, little ones can explore, play and build confidence, until they’re ready to take on the climbing challenges. The Croydon centre will also feature an on-site South Ridge Café, offering coffee, snacks, and a variety of hot and cold drinks for climbers and spectators. This not only enhances the visitor experience but also drives additional revenue by increasing dwell time and overall spend.

Hear from the owner

Simon Jobson commented:

“The support from the head office team at Clip ’n Climb makes day-to-day operations much easier, so scaling across multiple locations feels achievable rather than overwhelming. On top of that, running my own franchise has given me a much better work–life balance. After leaving a traditional 9-to-5 finance job in the City, I now have the flexibility to spend more time with my family, without having to compromise on income or my long-term growth.”

From corporate finance to franchise ownership

Simon’s journey from a conventional finance career to leisure franchise ownership reflects a growing trend among Clip ’n Climb investors: experienced professionals seeking a business with strong ROI, operational support, and lifestyle benefits. With centralised brand, marketing, and operational frameworks in place, franchisees are able to focus on growth, local market engagement, and portfolio expansion, while benefiting from a brand with established consumer recognition and a resilient business model.

Expansion for 2026 and beyond

The Croydon opening forms part of a broader expansion strategy, with a number of additional franchise sites already planned for 2026 across key UK territories. Demand from investors continues to be driven by the brand’s market leadership, family-focused appeal, and resilient performance within the competitive leisure sector.

To find out more about Clip ’n Climb and their franchise opportunities, visit their profile.