Aiming to be a space that inspires and motivates people of all ages and abilities to be active and ambitious, the new 1,850m² purpose-built centre in the heart of the borough’s town centre will house an array of climbing facilities that give everyone the chance to safely push their limits, try something new, and most importantly, have a bit of fun while doing it.
Set to be one of the most exciting facilities of its kind in Greater Manchester, Summit Up will be accessible for all the family – from complete novices, right through to seasoned climbers.
Climbing enthusiasts, schools, youth groups, corporate businesses, and more can get involved.
When it comes to the facilities on offer at the new Oldham centre, the star of the show will undoubtedly be the ‘Clip ‘n Climb’ – a “fun climbing” concept that Summit Up wants to bring to the local community.
Designed by Entre-prises UK – the sole supplier of climbing walls for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics – the unique Clip ‘n Climb concept is on offer at several outdoor activity centres all across the globe, but the Clip ‘n Climb at Summit Up in Oldham will actually be one of the highest and largest in the UK.
This means that visitors will be able to experience world-class walls as climbed by some of the best competitive climbers on earth.
Summit Up will be accessible for all the family, from complete novices, right through seasoned climbers / Credit: Summit Up
Clip ‘n Climb Oldham will feature 25 challenges, including the adrenaline-pumping ‘Leap of Faith’, the popular ‘Stairway to Heaven’, and a thrilling 10-metre ‘Vertical Drop Slide’, as well as two ValoClimb walls – which use world-first interactive gaming technology and are designed to boost fitness while offering a challenging alternative to traditional climbing.
Summit Up arrives in Oldham ready to capture the excitement and enthusiasm that’s in the air after Sport Climbing was featured in the Olympic Games for the first time ever at Tokyo 2020, with all three Olympic disciplines of lead climbing, bouldering, and speed climbing on offer at the new centre.
It will be the only centre in Greater Manchester with an official speed climbing facility too.
And if all of that wasn’t as exciting enough as it is, the centre will also have a soft play area, dedicated party rooms, retail merchandise, and a ‘South Ridge’ cafe to stop off at for some well-deserved refreshments after a day of climbing.
Summit Up’s arrival in Oldham wouldn’t be possible without the help of The Stoller Charitable Trust – which is funding the building of the centre to “leave a lasting legacy” for the next generation of the Oldham community.
The centre will also have a soft play area, dedicated party rooms, and a ‘South Ridge’ cafe / Credit: Summit Up
Oldham-born businessman Sir Norman Stoller founded the Trust in the 1980’s, and has since gone on to donate millions of pounds to worthy causes – particularly supporting disadvantaged children from the Oldham area.
“Climbing is very popular at present and we expect to attract up to 90,000 visitors a year,” explained Stephen Lowe, Manager of The Stoller Charitable Trust.
“The centre will be a huge boost to the area as all of the profits generated will be used for charitable causes that support the young people of Oldham.
“The purpose [of the Trust] has been to provide opportunities to raise aspirations, support Oldham’s young people to reach the height of their ability, and provide a helping hand when it is most needed.”
He added: “It is our hope that Summit Up will connect the community and create a lasting social venue in Oldham.”
Summit Up aims to be a space that inspires and motivates people of all ages and abilities to be active and ambitious / Credit: Summit Up
Summit Up is opening to the public on Saturday 18 September 2021.
The booking system is now live, so if you fancy being one of the first to experience Oldham’s new climbing centre and all it has to offer, head on over to the Summit Up website here to secure your slot.
You can sleep in a luxury train carriage at an old railway station in Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
There’s an Airbnb listing in Delph where you can stay in a classic converted train carriage, and it’s even situated in an old train station, so someone buy my ticket ASAP.
Get ready to have the best train experience of your life, as the only cancellation you have to worry about is booking the day off work.
The Carriage at The Old Station is a two-person character property in Delph, Saddleworth that offers you the chance to live out your vintage fantasy by stepping back in time on a luxury static train coach.
It may be situated at an old station, but the interior is refreshing and light with mint blue beams, fuchsia cushions and a royal red carpet and curtains.
As well as a majestic interior, this carriage has an equally impressive amount of amenities, including a Bluetooth sound system, board games and its own indoor fireplace.
This Airbnb is fairly new too, with only 44 reviews to its name – the first only dating back to September of last year; don’t say we don’t find you some absolute gems.
Inside the Airbnb that’s an old converted train carriage.The interior of this Airbnb listing is bold and impressive.
One user even stated, “We regularly stay in five-star locations and this surpassed five-star easily! We highly recommend a stay here.”
While another opened her review with three simple adjectives that we also feel perfectly sum up this train carriage property perfectly: “Opulent, indulgent, extravagant”.
It should come as no surprise that this place is beautiful inside and out, as in the description, host of the property Nigel states he’s a retired designer.
The train carriage stay is also close to a proper country pub, The Old Bell Inn, as well as the Diggle canal walk if you fancy a stroll and a pint before tucking into bed in your old train carriage for the night.
Even the bathroom has pops of colour throughout.You could stay in this train carriage at an old train station.
If you’re after boarding The Carriage at The Old Station and having a fabulous overnight stay or mini holiday of your own, you can find the Airbnb listing and everything you need to know HERE.
Oldham Athletic’s hero owner Frank Rothwell showered with praise after promotion back to EFL
Danny Jones
It was a weekend Oldham Athletic fans will always remember as the Greater Manchester club officially climbed out of the National League and back into the EFL, and among the many heroes at Wembley this year, one was showered with more praise than most: Frank Rothwell.
The newly-annointed League Two club owner is the man responsible for saving Oldham from complete collapse just a couple of short years ago; a local businessman who gave them the crucial backing that kept them afloat and who, without whom, Sunday evening may never have happened.
Rothwell went viral before the game with his passionate speech ahead of the all-important playoff tie, but the scenes following the momentous victory for his hometown have proved even more wholesome.
You need only listen to what he had to say after the game to recognise how much it meant not only to him but everyone across the borough.
"It means a lot to the people of Oldham"❤️
Oldham owner Frank Rothwell was delighted to see his side achieve promotion to the EFL after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Southend 🔵pic.twitter.com/6Bksak4vOt
Credit must obviously go to the players, manager Micky Mellon – who helped steer them this far in what was his sixth promotion – and to Southend United also, who made it a truly thrilling contest and advert for non-league football, not to mention garnering a National League record crowd of 52,115 fans.
Nothing short of incredible support.
In fact, there could have been even more in the stands for both sides were it not for the ticketing and rail maintenance fiasco that meant thousands of fans were simply unable to make it to the match, with each club’s allocation being capped at 21,500 a piece.
As for those who didn’t tune in to watch the thrilling fixture: firstly, more fool you and, secondly, the extra time comeback by the Latics was nothing short of inspiring and you couldn’t help but pray for the camera to pan up to Frank jumping up and down in his seat.
From being handed a big crate of Budweiser by the players to enjoy his first beer since Christmas (again, never one to shy away from a challenge), to take a victory lap around the iconic pitch after the final whistle, it was just as much his day as it was theirs.
A lovely moment between manager Micky Mellon and owner Frank Rothwell after Oldham's National League playoff final win… 🥲 #oafcpic.twitter.com/2jjvh7aIb3
It may have been a calm first-half penalty from Joe Garner, an expertly taken equaliser by James Norwood, and Kian Harrat’s fortunately stray ball into the box that got them over the line, but none of them would even be there without Frank Rothwell.
Writing a lengthy post on social media, famed football journalist Henry Winter said: “There’s such a fighting spirit to Oldham Athletic. So close to going out of existence in 21/22. But great fans and good people like Frank Rothwell and Darren Royle refused to let their club die. They fought and survived.
“They were so close to losing the National League play-off, but they fought and recovered and won. Resilience on and off the pitch. You have to feel for Southend United, who’ve also been through the mill in recent years, winding-up threat, transfer embargo, points deduction, prolonged takeover.
“Fighting spirit kept them alive. Amazing tifo at Wembley said it all: never give up. Southend gave everything and contributed fully to an epic playoff.
The quality shown by both sides and the depth of support […] is another reminder of the legitimacy of the campaign to have #3UP from the National League.”
Basically, he’s done some truly heroic things both within and outside of football, and the 74-year-old’s same indefatigable attitude is the kind of energy that has helped spur them over the past few seasons.
He never gave up his club or his town, and everyone reaped the rewards. Congratulations to the Latics, and we look forward to seeing them back where they belong.
Emily Sergeant -
6th September 2021 
