OXFORD CITY COUNCIL AWARDS CONTRACT TO PLAYTOP

Playtop Limited has won a contract to supply and fit impact-absorbing surfacing to Oxford City Council for the next three years.

With 89 playgrounds in total throughout the city, Playtop surfacing will be used for all new and refurbished playgrounds.

“Previously we obtained quotes each time we re-surfaced a playground,” commented Oxford City Council’s Ian Sheppard, “but as the Council is now refurbishing several playgrounds over the next few years we needed to put in place a contract arrangement.”

Six companies were invited to tender for the contract. The tenders were evaluated on a range of criteria including service, quality, environmental credentials and project management as well as cost.  Playtop scored the highest marks. Mr Sheppard said; “What impressed us about Playtop in particular was its environmental credentials and its reputation within the industry.” 

Marc Blamire, Playtop’s marketing manager, said; “It’s great to see a longer-term approach taken.  The tender process was comprehensive and required a lot of commitment from us. So we’re delighted that Oxford City Council awarded us the contract.”

Playtop safer surfacing is manufactured from recycled commercial vehicle tyres produced by a sister company, Charles Lawrence International. In addition, Playtop has a global partnership with Nike, the sportswear company, which sees recycled sports shoes also used in its surfacing.  Every square metre of Playtop which incorporates Nike Grind contains rubber from approximately 20 pairs of trainers and one commercial vehicle tyre. Using rubber granulate from tyres and trainers in this way prevents it ending up in already overflowing landfill sites.

Oxford City Council expects its first projects with Playtop to begin in August.