Please read and follow Durham Climbing Centre's guidelines designed for the safety and enjoyment of our visitors and staff.
Updated: 12 July 2021
It is expected that England will move to Step 4 on 19 July (to be confirmed one week before) as part of the PM’s vision to 'find a new way of living with the virus’. This step involves considerable easing of restrictions however, here at Durham Climbing Centre we remain cautious and proactive in our approach to managing the spread of infection in our centre.
The management of COVID-19 in our centre has been hugely effective in managing the spread of infection. The measures and cautious approach our team have taken has led to an extremely low prevalence of the virus in our centre. Our team have not been affected by staff absence and it has been very minimal among centre users. Thank you to all visitors for complying with these measures and helping each other to minimise the spread.
COVID-19 Symptoms
- Please do not attend Durham Climbing Centre if you, or anyone from your household displays symptoms of COVID-19.
- If you book a session, then develop symptoms – please contact us to cancel your session and offer an exchange to a different session.
Local / National restrictions
Please follow all guidance on local restrictions when visiting Durham Climbing Centre.
From 19th July, the following guidance applies to all centre users:
Social Distancing
- From Monday 19 July we are encouraging climbers to continue to social distancing with other climbers in the centre
- Our capacity restrictions will be loosened slightly, however we are maintaining a reduced maximum capacity. This means that climbers and spectators can feel safer and easily practice social distancing
Time Restrictions on climbing sessions
- From Monday 19th July, we are relaxing time limits on adult climbing area and beginner climbing area drop in sessions. These sessions will move from a 1.75 hour climbing session, to an unlimited climbing session. Please continue to book your start time online.
- There are no changes to terms and conditions on pre-paid 4 week, 3 month or annual passes.
Hand Hygiene
- The Covid Contingency plan created in March 2020 introduced two new sink areas in the advanced and beginner climbing areas. These sinks will remain in place for hand hygiene of visitors.
- Liquid chalk will continue to be used by staff on all coaching sessions and sharing of loose chalk is discouraged. Loose chalk hire is unavailable currently.
Face Coverings
- For the time being, our staff will continue to wear face coverings at all times.
- We strongly recommend that climbers and spectators wear face coverings on arrival and departure, when moving around the centre and at all times except when climbing, eating or drinking.
Screens
- To protect our staff and customers from the risk of infection, reception screens will remain in place for the time being.
Table service
- For the convenience of customers, table service will continue to be offered in the coffee lounge, and outdoor seating areas.
Online Booking & Walk - ins
- Online booking will continue as the preferred method of entry
- Online bookings take priority over walk-in
- Walk in's are accepted from 19th July
- If the centre is at maximum capacity with online bookings, walk-in's will be refused entry.
Please continue to follow all mandatory guidance below prior to 19th July. Thank you.
Check in & Check Out - Mandatory
We have been working hard to make checking in and out as easy as possible for centre users. It is mandatory to check in and out of your session. This can be done one of three ways -
1) Report to the reception desk on the way in and when leaving
2) Scan in and out using a membership card and automatic scanner
3) Scan in and out using a personal mobile device (phone) and automatic scanner - This is the preferred method
For options 2 & 3 please download the RGP app and ask a member of the team to sync your account, you may also use the app to make future bookings and check real time capacity.
Please download the RGPConnect app ready to connect on arrival.
Download RGP Connect for Android
Download RGP Connect for Apple
Track and Trace
A sophisticated track and trace system is connected to the check in and out system. This means should we be notified of a potential positive COVID-19 case, our team can alert all centre users who visited around the same time.
Additionally, NHS Track and Trace is in place and may be scanned on arrival.
Children's Sessions
Rock Stars Climbing Club
Following a Children’s Sessions risk assessment, we are now offering smaller group sessions with a maximum of 8 children, 1 coach and 1 parent per child.
More weekly sessions have been added to the timetable to ensure there is enough space for everyone.
We are carefully managing capacity in the centre at busy times. Please can only one parent per child attend climbing sessions with their child.
We encourage parents to drop off and collect children where possible (over 12 years club and Academy only – all 3-6 years & 7-11 years one parent must be present)
Equipment shop
A wide range of climbing shoes and accessories are available in the shop. We would respectfully ask that you only touch items you are considering purchasing. It is still possible to try on climbing shoes, as these are sanitised with a clothing spray.
Use of Chalk
- Hire Chalk
Hire chalk is not permitted to rent. We have good supplies of chalk available to buy in the shop.
- Sharing Chalk
It is strongly advised to bring your own chalk to each session, and to avoid using other people’s chalk.
Liquid Chalk
The equipment shop stocks 70%+ alcohol liquid chalk. It is strongly recommended that you make the switch from loose to liquid chalk. There is growing evidence that liquid chalk can kill the virus, and this still a useful back up.
Use of liquid chalk
Please ensure liquid chalk is fully dry on your hands before touching the holds to avoid chalk build up on the holds.
Hire equipment
Hire Shoes
Hire shoes are available to rent. After each use they are disinfected on the inside and the outside of the shoe to reduce the likelihood of smear infection. There is no evidence that the virus is transmitted through sweat.
Hire shoes can be dropped off on the dedicated shoe rack in reception on departure.
Rock Hard Café
All of your favourite paninis and seasonal lattes are available for eat in and take away in disposable eco-friendly packaging. Protein bars, confectionary and cold drinks may be purchased from reception. Cash and card is accepted.
Please purchase cafe items at reception. We are also offering table service.
Cash / Card Payments
Cash and card payments are accepted. Contactless card facilities are available.
Facilities out of use – sorry for inconvenience
Changing Rooms
Please arrive ready to climb.
Drinks Fountain
Please bring your own drinks or purchase from the café.
Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2021
We confirm we have complied with the government’s guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19
FIVE STEPS TO SAFER WORKING TOGETHER
We have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and shared the results with the people who work here.
We have cleaning, handwashing and hygiene procedures in line with guidance.
We have taken all reasonable steps to help people work from home.
We have taken all reasonable steps to maintain a 2m distance in the workplace.
Where people cannot be 2m apart, we have done everything practical to manage transmission risk.
All policies are kept under review by management and may change in accordance with government guidelines.
Health and Safety Officer: Hayley McKenna
St John's Road, Meadowfield Ind. Est, Durham, County Durham, DH7 8TZ
0191 378 9555