Business As Usual For Ratho

Just a quick update to confirm that it's 'business as usual' at the Adventure Centre, Ratho as far as customers are concerned.

Ratho Quarry Company Ltd, the operating company that runs the Adventure Centre, was put into receivership at the end on 5th March 2004, as we told you at the time, however the intention is still to sell the business as a going concern.

That means that events already organised at the centre and the facilities are open as normal as are courses, the gyms etc.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland however has expressed its 'great concern' at Ratho's circumstances and says that so far it has 'received no assurance that the Adventure Centre will continue to run either as the National Rock Climbing Centre or will continue to provide vital training for Scotland's climbing public.'

It was partly because of the MCofS's designation of Ratho as National Rock Climbing Centre of Scotland, that Ratho received a £1.2 million grant from National Lottery funds.

The Council also stresses that contrary to some reports, the walls were being fully used, with figures 'higher than expected' and says that it will be 'making representations to the receiver and the creditors in the hope that its future will continue to the be The National Rock Climbing Centre'. Reading between the lines though, the problem is that for Ratho to recoup the £22 million initial investment, it's crucial for the other facilities at the project - restaurants, cafes, gym, function rooms etc - to be profitable and well used.

Theoretically, were the Centre to cease to be run as The National Rock Climbing Centre, the Lottery grant would have to be repaid. Full details of the MCofS statement here.

And for more details on Ratho itself, check out the web site.