Video: Soaring up the silos as Rokt team reveals next stage of grand plan

The successful team at Rokt Climbing Gym on Mill Royd Street have submitted proposals to renovate the Black Swan pub but also to see their climbing repertoire incorporate the towering Sudgen Silos.

Leigh Topping is hoping the plans, which have been submitted to Calderdale Council, will not just benefit the centre but Brighouse as a whole.

“There is huge potential to utilise the buildings and to give the canal a much needed uplift. The buildings are so iconic and it will give a unique experience to climbers and visitors. If we get the go ahead it will not only help the footfall with visitors from the UK and further afield in Europe, it will put Brighouse on the map.”

With the help of planning agent Cadvis3d they hope to transform the whole site.

“These unique industrial structures have been a derelict landmark in Brighouse for 14 years,” the agent says in the plans.

“The proposals provide an innovative combination of activities, designed to embrace a whole different sector of the leisure market. The plans will see climbing walls including one to the exterior of the silos.

“Between the two silos the existing enclosed high level walkway will be stripped to form a skeleton bridge. From this climbers will be able to abseil down in mid-air, suspended between the two silos.

“Strung between the two silos, a high line is proposed, providing such activities as postman’s walk, tight rope and a fanned descender drop.”

The former Black Swan pub is also being renovated and will be renamed The Millers, which the team hope will be open at the start of November. “We are keeping as many of the original features as we can,” added Leigh. “We want to create a family orientated and friendly atmosphere.

“Downstairs we will have the bar area and we will be serving simple quality food to start off with.

“Outside we are knocking down part of the walls where we will create a fire pit using the materials and a beer garden will open up and run alongside the canal.

“It will be great sight sitting out in the beer garden, with a drink and burger and watching people climb up the silos and abseiling.

“We also want to work with other businesses along the canal and set up something like a canal trail and use a key feature of the town, so we are looking forward to doing that.”