Westway Climbing — Attraction in London

I registered on the website today for rope climbing, after noticing there were no slots available for weeks I phoned them to have more clarity, they told me I had to go in and fill up few documents in person, 30 min later I was there. I tick the boxes, indicating that I did not know how to tie a safe climbing knot and that I believed I needed an instructor. The guy in reception “hodge” made me asked me if I could do the safe knot, I said that I’ve seen it before last summer and mentioned that was the figure 8 one, he asked me to change my answer in YES then and that I’d be fine, he also asked me to change my answer for the need of an instructor in a NO.

Told me to go get changed and come back for the test (had no idea but fine) at the time of the test this other guy comes in asking me to get ready in my own and specifying that he had to see me doing it on my own. I try few times the knot and I couldn’t get to do it so I ask if he could show me. He said he couldn’t and he could not allow me to climb today for this reason.

At that point I really felt like o had to drag informations out of these people if I wanted any answer.

So I ask: is there no one to teach me? How can I pass the test if no one explains me how to do that knot??

So it comes out I have to book a different appointment with a coach, (which is what I expected when I ticked the box saying I wanted a coach before hodge told me to change my answer)

Anyway after 15 min waiting it comes out that the only available one was a time that could not work for me so.. whatever they said maybe I could go back another day.

You guys wasted me so much of my time coz this receptionist couldn’t just talk to me and explaining how your facility operates. Instead of assuming I wanted to climb on the spot (I was actually on my way to my gym And had no intention to climb at that time but I would have been happy to book a coach for later or another day) but when he said you can do it now well it looked temping.

Just be aware that someone new, may not be aware of your procedures, and it might be worth it to spend 1 more minute to explain it to them instead of being dismissive and asking someone to change their answer on your forms for the sake of .... saving time and go back looking at...

Westway is a good climbing wall. As a physical venue it is one of the best in London. It is big, wheelchair accessible and not a labyrinth, the walls are tall, has lots of lines, the setting is pretty good. Obviously better for rope than bouldering but there are plenty of other options for the latter,

Unfortunately it isn't a good climbing centre in terms of the management side. The registration process is archaic. Every other wall I can think of has an online waiver, but not Westway. Instead they have a paper registration form which will then be typed into an antique computer system. Also, if you take a belay test, prepare! And prepare to take it again because they'll lose the record of you taking it.

The wall bans shirtless climbing. Whilst I tend not to do this anyway, it is basically a way of the wall trying to blame its apparent lack of inclusivity on its regular customers, rather than the attitude of the wall's staff and management, or its lack of ability to market itself towards people who don't already climb there. I know of the staff being unpleasant towards people who do external coaching elsewhere but who climb socially at Westway.

The changing rooms / toilets usually have something going wrong. For several months there was no hot water.

There is no cafe due to the previous franchisee having wider financial difficulties, which isn't a deal breaker if you know about it in advance! But if you wanted to, say, host a competition, you'd probably consider another wall for this reason. Also, the shop is adequate but mediocre compared to say, The Castle.

Overall Westway is OK but is about as 'cool' as the BBC and soulless as...

I am writing to express my disappointment regarding an incident that occurred during my visit to your rock climbing gym on 26/10/2024 around 5:00 PM.

While my friends and I were filling out the necessary paperwork and filling in our details on the app. At the reception, we encountered an unfortunate situation with the receptionist. One of your male staff member who was wearing a pink t-shirt, assisted us. He takes a seat next to your female staff who was wearing a hijab.

He asked what was my friend’s surname. He politely responded “My surname is Ho.” The receptionist repeatedly referred to him as “Mr. Ho” in a manner that seemed intended to be humorous. Unfortunately, the reception staff member chose to repeatedly emphasised the name in a manner that appeared to mock my friend, pronouncing it similarly to the word “hoe” while trying to stifle his laughter.

His tone and body language suggested he was trying to make a joke, which was inappropriate and offensive.

I just shoved that incident and didn’t confront your personnel, as we were looking forward to climb at your gym.

While we appreciated the professionalism of the climbing instructor we interacted with, this experience overshadowed our visit. We expect a welcoming and respectful environment, especially in a community-focused establishment like yours.

I believe it’s important for your staff to be aware of how their words and actions can impact customers, especially in a diverse space. I hope you will address this behavior to ensure a more inclusive experience for everyone.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to...