We’re incredibly excited to share that our friends at Bloc have officially joined the Flashpoint family. From Wednesday 29th April: if you’re a member or punch card holder, you can climb across all sites!
After more than a decade at the heart of Bristol’s climbing community, the team behind Bloc are stepping away from the industry. We’re genuinely honoured to carry forward what they’ve built and to welcome Bloc into the Flashpoint Climbing Group.
If you’ve climbed at Bloc, you’ll know how special it is. It’s a brilliant open space with a strong community of Bristol climbers, creative setting, and (arguably) some of the best walls in the city – we do love a good arête!
The good news is that none of that is changing.
This isn’t the first time we’ve welcomed a much-loved independent wall into the fold. When Roc-Bloc became Flashpoint Cardiff, our goal was simple: keep the team, the soul, and the setting style intact. A few years on, we’re proud to say that approach worked, and we’ll be bringing the same mindset to this new chapter in Bristol.
So you can expect to see the same friendly faces behind reception checking you in, and the same setters up the ladders creating the blocs we all love to climb.
There will be a few small updates to pricing and check-in processes as we bring everything in line across the group. But at its core, the gym remains the same.
To put it simply: the setting, the team, and the atmosphere you know and love aren’t going anywhere – they’re just becoming part of something a little bigger, with membership now shared across more walls in Bristol and South Wales.
From Wednesday 29th April, all FCG members* and punch card users can check in at Bloc, and Bloc members and punch card holders can climb across all FCG sites. Self check-in will continue as normal at your home gym(s), but if you’re visiting Bloc from Flashpoint, or Flashpoint from Bloc, please check in with reception for the time being.
Bristol is where it all began for so many of us with Redpoint, followed by the growth of Flashpoint and a thriving community of amazing people and keen climbers. We’ve always aimed to offer our members more, and we’re delighted that we now offer:
With access to our fantastic South Wales gyms, in Swansea and Cardiff, as the cherry on top.
*Multi-gym access (including Bloc) is included with all memberships except “Swansea Only”.
Q: Will I be able to climb at all sites with my membership/punch card?
A: Yes! From Wednesday 29th April. If you’re visiting Bloc as a Flashpoint/Redpoint climber, or visiting Flashpoint/Redpoint as a Bloc climber, please check in with reception for now.
Q: Do I need to complete a new registration?
A: If you want to climb at all sites, you’ll need a Flashpoint Climbing Group (FCG) registration/acceptance of risk (AOR) form. If you’re already an FCG customer, your AOR works across all sites, including Bloc. If you’re only climbing at Bloc, your existing registration still works for now, but you will need to complete an FCG AOR in the future (that was a lot of acronyms, sorry).
Q: How does check-in work?
A: Self check-in works as normal at your home site(s). If you’re visiting another site, please check in with reception for now.
Q: Are prices changing?
A: Pricing are now aligned across Bloc, Flashpoint Bristol and Redpoint Bristol.
Q: What’s changing with setting and the team?
A: Nothing for now – the same team, setting style and overall feel will remain. The recent migration from coloured circuits to off-piste was a great change and brings all sites in line.
Q: What’s happening with Kids Clubs/Clip ‘n Climb?
A: Kids’ climbing will continue as normal for now. Any updates will be shared directly with parents.
Q: What will change?
A: Gradually, you’ll notice small changes like staff uniforms and signage shifting from Bloc to Flashpoint branding. But the core things, the staff and the setting, will stay the same. And that’s what really matters.
Q: Will the setting change across the Bristol sites?
A: We already aim to keep differences between Redpoint and Flashpoint, and we’ll continue that approach. The in-house teams at Bloc will remain, so the setting will feel familiar.
Q: Will I be able to get a 1-site membership or a 2-site membership
A: No, the plan is for one membership with the incredible value of 3 walls in Bristol (and 2 more in South Wales). We’ll keep you updated with any pricing or membership structure changes.
We’ll add more FAQs here as needed. If you have a question, just ask, chances are someone else is wondering the same thing.
