Member Article

North East natural playground company to create 40 skilled jobs with South East move

Infinite Playgrounds and Canopies, the Tyneside-based natural play company, has established a South East base near Brighton which could create up to 40 skilled jobs.

The firm’s new South East operation in Heathfield will see the opening of a fully-tooled workshop with the aim to recruit six full time staff by the end of this year.

It marks the first time the company, which specialises in designing and installing natural playgrounds, has spread from its North East roots where it was established six years ago by artists Helen Law and Sam McGeever.

Infinite, which employs over 40 staff and has annual revenues of £2.5m, uses environmentally-sourced hardwoods and other natural materials to build safer children’s playgrounds and play areas.

Helen, who will now be based in the new Heathfield office, said: “German firms used to dominate our market until our steady growth over the last five years pushed us into the place of UK market leaders.

“With much of our work now taking us beyond our North East home it has become essential to establish a South East base to help us maintain our momentum.

“Our aim is to double our production facility, replicating our Tyneside workshop to meet this wider market. This will be fully functioning within twenty-four months and, by reducing transport costs, will keep our prices competitive.”

She added: “Over the next few months we will be looking to recruit skilled craftsmen, forestry workers and tree surgeons and aim to build a team of at least six people by the end of the year.”