GREENWICH Leisure Limited, the company which runs the Link Centre, has said it is still planning to go ahead with proposals to close the climbing wall – but is open to discussions over the plan.

Last month it emerged the wall and sports centre were set to be replaced with a trampoline park, a decision which has angered many users.

A petition, which already has 1,900 signatures, was set up calling for the decision to be reversed, which has already been signed almost 1,900 times.

The company has previously said the decision had been made but now says it is listening to feedback on the plans.

GLL managing director Mark Sesnan, the managing director of GLL, said: “We will continue to talk directly with our customers and those who would like to comment on, or discuss, the potential closure of the climbing wall and relocation of sports hall activities and our other developments in Swindon.

“We believe that our significant investment into the Swindon leisure centres will increase attendance and encourage accessible sports provision.

“Our mission is to get more people, more active, more often – to achieve this, some things will have to change.

“We understand that there will shortly be another climbing facility in Swindon and we are confident all sports hall users can be relocated.”

While the company has said the loss which is being made on the wall, plus plans by a private company to open another one in Stratton, are key reasons for the decision being made, it has left many angry.

Users have said the wall is a key facility which must remain, especially as it was developed using Lottery cash.

Sport England has said it is they are aware of GLL’s plans and are still looking into whether it they can go ahead under the terms of the Lottery agreement.

As well as a new wall being built, another company is planning to open a separate trampoline park in Kembrey Park, the largest indoor facility in Europe, which will then be bettered by a park at Cribbs Causeway, in Bristol.

Upon hearing the wall was to close, Emma Millett was disappointed by news of the closurereacted with , saying her children – Verity, nine, and Charles, 13 - had seen huge benefits since taking up the sport.

She said: “It’s just a shame. There are so many people who have learned to compete there and are competing at a national and even international level.”

“The children have loved it. We moved here from Devizes and they started climbing there in November. They’ve made so many friends there and they were nearly ready to start competing.”

“Swindon has young climbers who compete in competitions throughout the UK and Europe. Our friend, Sharna King, who has just got back from Nepal, learnt to climb there. She inspired my kids to start climbing.”