The popular outdoor adventure company, Go Ape has opened a new site in East Lancashire and created 14 new jobs in the local community.
On Saturday, July 15, Go Ape Blackburn launched in Witton Park. The Deputy Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Councillor Sylvia Liddle cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new site.
Despite the capricious weather, the launch was a day to remember with Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone, Astley & Buckshaw Junior FC, and members of the council enjoying the outdoor fun.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It was fantastic to be at the official opening of Go Ape and to see so many excited youngsters take on the new adventure courses and our own Deputy Mayor too.
“The new set-up at Witton Park is really impressive and as well as being a great visitor attraction for the borough - helping support local businesses - it’s also created 14 new jobs locally.
“It was also really good to hear the Go Ape team talk about how much support they’ve had from our teams across the Council – we pride ourselves on making it easy for people to invest here and it’s great to see that in action.
"I wish the team there all the best for their first summer in Witton Park.”
Marcus Cubbings, whose dad runs Ronnie’s Café, said that with the opening of Go Ape Blackburn as well as the development of two playgrounds in Witton Park, footfall will increase.
He said: “We’re hoping it will boost the business. We’ve seen quite a few people coming in today to buy snacks so hopefully that continues.”
Go Ape senior artworker, Leah Smith, said: “Myself, daughter and other half went to the Blackburn launch and it was absolutely brilliant!
"There was a great atmosphere, despite experiencing every type of weather possible and the staff were super friendly and helpful throughout.
“It was our first-time doing Go Ape all together and we felt really comfortable and already can’t wait to go back again!
Go Ape Blackburn is Go Ape’s 36th location in the family tree and the first standalone experience for adventurers under the age of 10 years old.
Go Ape Blackburn includes two new high-ropes activities which are perfect for younger explorers.
Treetop Adventure is the ideal first step up into the forest canopy for little daredevils over 1m tall, so that they can get a feel for heights.
They can test their skills and balance on a circuit of wobbly crossings and obstacles before speeding back to the ground on a zipline.
Treetop Adventure Plus is an extension of the Treetop Adventure course, with an additional loop filled with even trickier crossings and an extra-long solo zip line for participants over six years and 1.2m tall.
Witton Park, Blackburn is the second Go Ape location to be built in the picturesque Lancashire region. Go Ape Rivington, near Bolton, lies just 13 miles away and offers Treetop Challenge, an even more extreme high-ropes adventure course for thrill-seekers over 10 years old and 1.4m tall.
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