Depot Climbing Manchester Reviews Summary

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff here are really nice and helpful."
• "Been here a few times now, friendly staff and has a relaxed atmosphere."
• "Staff very helpful and great with kids."
• "Staff are friendly, helpful and attentive."
• "Staff were super nice too."
• "The staff are all super lovely and helpful."
• "Very friendly environment, staff very helpful everything was explained very well, service was great."

Cons:

• "If there's a massive queue you have to wait by the door for new people to register."
• "Little things like this let the place down."
• "They do take a long time to change the holds though in my opinion."
• "Probably the best bouldering place in Manchester. However they need more staff during busy times to process all the people coming in."
• "Does not emphasise adult/parent induction required with a child enough on website so was turned away and morning plans gone to waste."
• "Sadly this is over shadowed by some of the staff that work here, often hear people talking about how rude/egotistical the staff are."

Facilities and Equipment

Pros:

• "A great climbing centre which should be easier to get to when the new tramline is finished as there is a stop at the top of the road."
• "Classic weights barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, benches, squat racks and a rowing machine."
• "Big new multi angled wall added over by what was the circuit boards and gym area."
• "The Depot Climbing is a fantastic and friendly place with a vast amount of bouldering."
• "Training areas, lockers, plus a new large gym area and cool large overhang cave area at the back."
• "One of the largest in Europe."
• "The training facilities are marvellous and encompass anything anyone would need to train for climbing: 3 training boards, 2 circuit boards, hangboards, a crack, 3 spray walls of varying angles."

Cons:

• "Parking now a bit of an issue at busy times but can be done."
• "The only disappointment is parking, it’s a bit tight that the local land owner has painted double yellow lines on every road around the centre."
• "Parking can be tricky as there are double yellow lines outside."
• "Only downside is I find the mats to be a little hard."
• "The centre refuses to make any accommodations to allow wheelchair users who can't walk without their chair."
• "It's lost it's autobelay 'highball' walls."
• "Another issue is the slab setting that is a little uncomfortable/ injury prone at times."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "Monthly subscription is the way forward if you intend to stay coming here saves you a lot of money if you come more than once a week."
• "£8.50 (with an annual £5 membership) per session allowing you to spend as long as you would like is great value for money and you can hire climbing shoes for very cheap."
• "Prices are bang on for what you get, I get the 10 punch pass card so that I can visit other gyms too to get a variation in climbing while new climbs are set, works out at a good price."
• "Food is great value, climbing prices are standard, but pound per route they’re better than any other northwest venue."
• "Price is £10 per visit, you get discounts per every visit if you join their annual membership which cost £5. Well worth the money."

Cons:

• "But in my opinion it's a little bit expensive at £10 for entry, unless you pay £5 for an annual membership fee then the price is £8."
• "Paid full price, only to learn that more than half of gym was not available due to route setting for some competition."

Food and Beverages

Pros:

• "The cafe is great. Their pizza is excellent, and their coffee is very good."
• "They also do great pizza."
• "Get nice cake or pizza and a tea and coffee."
• "Does good pizza if you need food too."
• "We opted for the pizza menu - lots of delicious food."
• "Food was freshly prepared and very tasty."
• "The food was fantastic - we all agreed the best chips we have ever had!"

Cons:

• "Coffee shop would be good with some fruit available and some healthier meal options."

Accessibility

Pros:

• "For anyone wanting to visit by public transport, you can catch the 250 from the town centre and it drops you off only a few minutes walk from the climbing centre."
• "Since the extension this place feels a lot less busy."
• "Very accessible for beginners and plenty of really challenging routes for experienced climbers."
• "This place has free parking, feels clean and bright and the the holds and routes are excellent."
• "Very clean, nice climbing centre for bouldering."
• "Great amount of parking and a sizable store to purchase and required equipment, shoes can conveniently be rented also."
• "Based in Trafford park the centers location is probably it's only down side as it a little distance from any public transport."

Cons:

• "Not the easiest place to get to by public transport but such is the life of a bouldering gym."
• "Only downside is parking can be a faff."
• "The only complaint would be the bag storage shelf becomes a big crowded (and smelly) when there's lots of people."

Climbing Experience

Pros:

• "A great climbing centre which should be easier to get to when the new tramline is finished as there is a stop at the top of the road."
• "The Depot is an absolute gem of a climbing gym."
• "The community was sociable, welcoming and positive."
• "There is a great vibe to the place, and the climbing is excellent."
• "Wonderful place to climb with a great selection of routes for beginners and more experienced climbers."
• "Really friendly atmosphere, helpful staff - great sense of community amongst climbers."
• "After bouldering at a few places in Manchester I can say this is the best one for boulderers of any level."

Cons:

• "One of my only issues with the gym is that their highest level (orange) is not that difficult."
• "Only downside is that each grade is the same colour every time so gets the same holds every reset, might be good to mix it up to experience different holds."
• "Unfortunately, it's a victim of its own popularity. It gets extremely busy and the holds are far too chalky as a result and could be brushed more often."
• "Great angles of wall, amazing hold selection but every colour circuit felt dirty and must have been up a long time, I wish they would reset more often."
• "I had an accident falling down and fracture my knee and tendons."
• "Only thing lacking is cake, but they more than make up for it with pizza!"
• "My only gripe is that they don't have each route labeled by grade, but grouped together by colour."