Sheffield’s inner-city festival of the outdoors, Cliffhanger, and its headline event the BMC La Sportiva British Bouldering Championships, will not take place in 2020.
Since its move to the city centre in 2016, Sheffield’s Cliffhanger has become one of the most anticipated and well attended events of the year, but due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Sheffield City Council and festival partners have cancelled the event.
Celebrating outdoors adventure and boasting all the qualities and features that The Outdoor City offers, the festival is home to the annual national bouldering championships, that sees the very best of British climbers compete for the crown on Devonshire Green.
The event was due to take place next month, across the weekend of 11-12 July.
Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure at Sheffield City Council, said: “It is with regret that we must cancel Cliffhanger 2020. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we have prioritised keeping people safe and limiting the spread of the virus, and although some restrictions are being relaxed, it would be irresponsible to continue with plans for the event.
“In recent years Cliffhanger has grown in to an inclusive celebration, highlighting Sheffield’s unique offer of outdoor adventure and vibrant city life. The bouldering championship is always the main attraction and it will be a big disappointment not to see that huge climbing wall towering over Devonshire Green. But, as with our many other events we’ll be working hard with our partners to bring back a safe and exciting events programme in 2021.”
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has also confirmed that the La Sportiva British Bouldering Championships is not going ahead and fans will have to wait until 2021 to witness the strength and skills usually on display in Sheffield.
Nick Colton, BMC Deputy CEO, said: “The British Bouldering Championships is a fantastically popular competition held within Cliffhanger that attracts large numbers of spectators in a wonderful carnival atmosphere.
“Mindful of the safety of everyone at the event and those they go home to – as well as the vital importance of social distancing in the current crisis – it is regrettable, but right, that the event is cancelled.”
The La Sportiva British Bouldering Championships will return next in summer of 2021.
Since Coronavirus restrictions began nationally, all events have been cancelled or postponed in line with Government guidance.
All council run events have been cancelled up to at least the end of July. Sheffield City Council continues to monitor the most recent guidelines and is keeping all future events under review.
