Category Archives: Latest Projects


Crescents Park

The decision was made that Playrite 30PB artificial grass would be overlaid over the shockpad tiles.

The Challenge
Crescents Park play area, located in Stockport, is a council owned development. In 2017, the local council had raised a concern for the safety of young children playing in this area.

The local council development office specified that the park required more critical fall height protection to ensure children were safe on all of the park’s equipment.

The council had proposed that shockpad tiles, with up to 1.7 metre fall protection, would be used and then overlaid with an artificial grass surface.

The Result
After many consultations with the council, Premier Recreation (project coordinators) and Groundworks Manchester (the contractors involved) the decision was made that Playrite 30PB artificial grass would be overlaid over the shockpad tiles.

The 30PB is manufactured using the finest material and traditional techniques that features a natural look and feel.

In December 2017 the project was completed. Crescent Park now has a natural looking surface with CFH protection tiles laid underneath to ensure safety standards are kept high.

The local council are delighted with their new surface and parents can now have the guarantee that their children are safe at all times in the play area.

Krishna Avanti Primary School

After consultations and site meetings with the school, it was decided that Playrite’s Matchplay 2 Multi-sport Needlepunch Surface would be an ideal choice for the proposed scheme.

The Challenge
At the start of 2019, Playrite were approached by Dura-Sport Ltd, located in Leicester, who had been appointed by Krishna Avanti Primary School. Krishna Avanti Primary School in Leicester is a Hindu faith free school which currently has 360 pupils. The school prides itself on moral, social and spiritual development.

The school had contacted Dura-Sport Ltd to upgrade their existing macadam area, approximately 2000 square metres, to a synthetic surface that would be suitable for multi-sport activities.

After consultations and site meetings with the school, it was decided that Playrite’s Matchplay 2 Multi-sport Needlepunch Surface would be an ideal choice for the proposed scheme.

Dura-Sport Ltd had previously worked with Playrite on a number of projects and had no doubt that Matchplay 2 would be perfect for the school’s requirements.

The Result
Manufactured In the UK, Matchplay 2 is a highly durable, low maintenance surface which is particularly suited to netball, tennis, football and hockey – these of which were high on the schools list of primary sports.

During the early Spring of 2019, Dura-Sport Ltd completed the 2000 square metre installation of the MUGA in a striking two- tone color scheme consisting of Playrite green playing area with a blue surround. Inlaid lines were also provided for tennis, netball, hockey and football to help the school have maximum multi-use out of their new surface.

The school announced that they were delighted with the installation and the level of service provided by both Playrite and Dura-Sport Ltd. The new surface is now being enjoyed on a daily basis by pupils and is enhancing their physical education experience.

Talybont Community Council

The installation comprised of approximately 1100 square metres of material over two separate courts.

The Challenge

Talybont-on-Usk is a village in Powys, Wales, lying in the shadow of the breathtakingly picturesque county of Brecknockshire. Situated next to both the River Caerfanell and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, the village is a very popular area with locals and tourists.

The existing worn surfaces no longer fitted the community’s requirements and for many years, the community council had been fundraising to upgrade a block of two tennis courts on the village playing field. The criteria outlined by the council, for the synthetic playing surface, was met by the choice of Playrite’s Champion 20 – 20mm pile tufted synthetic grass. Their persistence paid off earlier this year when work was able to begin to upgrade the courts.

The Result

Playrite surface Champion 24 is manufactured in West Yorkshire and is an all-round, hardwearing surface particularly suited for multi-sport use including tennis, netball, football and basketball. This synthetic surface perfectly suited the council’s requirements as well as the budget for the project.

The installation comprised of approximately 1100 square metres of material over two separate courts, this was carried out by Inscapes ltd & Folly Contractors Ltd.

The courts were completed at the start of 2019. The community council are delighted with the facility and know that it will encourage the locals to enjoy the outdoors and have fun whilst getting fitter.

The Soccer Factory Rochdale

After much discussion, it was decided that Playrite Conqueror 60MF was the preferred pitch surface for the project.

The Challenge

Located in Rochdale, The Soccer Factory has a total of 10 pitches and is home to one of the largest indoor pitches in the northwest. Open all-year-round, the pitches are regularly used by professional football clubs as well as local junior teams.

Next to The Soccer Factory stood a wasteland with much potential for them to expand even further. Before any decision making was done, the wasteland was home to a disused water tank and pipes. The owners had to excavate the area and install a full concrete base and drainage before any work was done.

The Result

After much discussion, it was decided that Playrite Conqueror 60MF was the preferred pitch surface for the project. Conqueror is our 3G sports surface range that mimics that of a natural turf area but with lower maintenance costs. Filled with sand and rubber, it will perform at a professional playing standard for football. Near to the end of 2017, self-installation on the project had begun.

The new outdoor development is a fully fenced in 5 a-side pitch with floodlighting which compliments the existing indoor facility. The Soccer Factory is glad to have more facility space for the local 5 a-side teams and junior players to enjoy.

Thringstone Primary School Coalville

The Challenge

Thringstone Primary School in Coalville, Leicester, were keen to create a new MUGA after receiving generous funding. They wished to provide a sports facility that not only benefitted the pupils at the school, but the local community as a whole. The required a multi-sport friendly surface which would enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy a range of sports.

After much discussion with Fosse Contracts Ltd (the appointed contractors for the project) and the school, the final decision was made. Playrite’s Matchplay 2 Needlepunch surface ticked all the boxes of the criteria.

Manufactured in West Yorkshire, the surface provides a high level of performance for a variety of sports including tennis, netball, football, hockey and basketball. Matchplay 2 is unique to Playrite and offers low maintenance compared to other synthetic surfaces.

The Result

The facility at Thringstone primary school was completed in early 2019. 700 square metres of Playrite Matchplay 2 Surface, in the popular Playrite green color, was installed over an impact absorbing 10mm Matchpad 1500shockpad. To complete the project, inlaid lines were added to make multi-sport use easier for the school.

The area is now being enjoyed on a daily basis by the school’s pupils and is also available for hire during the evenings and weekends.

This has been a big success for the school, and is proving to be very popular with local sports groups.

The area is now a fantastic resource to allow children to enjoy sports and exercise every day, no matter what the weather.

Tennis World Middlesborough

Thanks to companies like Tennis World accessibility to grass roots tennis has now been well-established making it enjoyable, open, welcoming and relevant to everyone.

Tennis World have recently upgraded their playing surfaces at their state-of-the art facility in Middlesbrough. In the past Tennis World has served up several Wimbledon aces, now Middlesbrough’s largest independent tennis club has had its first makeover in 30 years. In 2018 Tennis World was given a six-figure “New lease of life” with world-standard indoor and outdoor courts. Tennis World is unique in having 4 indoor and 6 outdoor courts. The recent refurbishment would enable a brand-new suite of playing surfaces to be installed, delivering both top performance and playability.

In providing new courts, the choice of playing surfaces where the general public and future champions could practice and compete on would be crucial. Tennis World would ultimately choose Yorkshire-based Playrite to supply their Matchplay 2 product to meet and surpass their stringent requirements.

Playrite is a division of National Floorcoverings, a UK family owned group of companies dating back to 1873. The business has a combined experience in a vast array of flooring types. Playrite is the only UK Company to develop, design and manufacture all three types of artificial surface for sports and leisure, Tufted, Needlepunch and Woven.

Nigel Garton, Centre Manager, Tennis World commented, “We opted for the Playrite Matchplay 2 product for a few reasons. Outdoors we wanted an all-weather medium paced artificial grass surface.” He added, “We had visited various venues and tried various surfaces in the winter as we needed a surface which was playable during or immediately after rain. This was important to us as in the North East of England as we have so much bad weather.

“Commenting on the indoor performance requirements Nigel Garton further said, “We decided we wanted a needlepunch surface as our research revealed this would be the hardest wearing medium-paced product and would be a great surface for all ages and standards. Also, Playrite are the only company using green and purple which we wanted as my research told me purple is the polar-opposite colour to the yellow ball but also the colours look very good”.

Nigel Garton added, “The Playrite surfaces are excellent both in and outdoors. As soon as it stops raining outside you can play on them. Also, the bounce and comfort indoors are second to none.”

Ken Smith, Area Sales Manager, Playrite Ltd, commented, “Our Matchplay 2 surface was initially recommended by a technical consultant known to Nigel Garton at Tennis World. We visited Tennis World with sample products and supporting information plus further research. A visit by Tennis World staff to an existing tennis club using Matchplay 2 influenced their final decision.” On challenges about the installation Ken Smith went on to further comment, “We had to ensure that the purple court colour fibre which was not a standard colour at that time could be sourced, manufactured and approved by Tennis World, all within budget and on time.” He added, “A great tennis surface needs to be tested to industry standards with a performance level to suit specific club and player requirements. It’s also crucial to have a no-nonsense installation, aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance and be made in the UK.”

Ken Smith concluded, “We developed an excellent working relationship with Tennis World by supplying a good line of communication and support throughout the specification and installation process.” Adding comment Nigel Garton said, “Playrite have been first class on our pre-installation and sourced clubs that allowed us try out the Matchplay 2 product. Playrite also finished on time and were always on hand to talk to us even when they were on holiday.”

Nigel Garton ended by saying, “On the whole all the feedback has been very positive on both Playrite surfaces. I always highly recommend Playrite to any clubs looking to resurface and would definitely use them again in the future.”Playrite have been manufacturing sport and play surfaces in Yorkshire since 1991 with the parent company dating back even further. Playrite supply products throughout the UK and export their surfaces for installation on a Worldwide basis. Playrite offer a wide range of surfaces for sports, playgrounds, multi-use sports areas and artificial grass for gardens.

Holyhedge Park

The Challenge

Playrite was approached by Groundwork for Manchester City Council and tasked with replacing the park’s aged and worn wet-pour rubber base with a new Playsafe surface.


The Result

The council has recently fitted new play equipment – including slides and swings – at Hollyhedge park and Playrite’s installation of a new Playsafe system provides landing protection in line with critical fall height risk.

Wycombe House

The Challenge

When looking for a new tennis surface, Wycombe House contacted Playrite to request a product that was low maintenance, quick draining, hardwearing and appropriate for the average age of the club’s members.

With a few different surfaces fitting the bill, Playrite provided the club with a variety of case studies and arranged for members to play at four tennis clubs where they had recently installed new courts.

After much deliberation, Wycombe House opted for Matchplay 2, having being impressed by its performance characteristics, life expectancy, simple maintenance regime and reduced replacement costs, due to the fact it isn’t glued down.

The Result

Paul Atkins, Chairman at Wycombe House said: “We at Wycombe House invested in Matchplay 2 to provide our members with a more comfortable surface that would encourage all ages and all standards to enjoy the game of Tennis. The low maintenance and reduced replacement costs were a major factor in our decision. I have also been very impressed with the support from Playrite — providing case studies, reference sites, authorised fitters, and a place where we could test the surface.”

He continued to describe how “We hope that by installing Matchplay 2 we can grow our membership and provide social and competitive tennis for all ages and standards of player.”

Fulwood Tennis Club

With the addition of a single Matchplay 2 court completed in 2018, the club are now able to offer members and visitors the option to experience three different surfaces.

The Challenge

In November 2016 Fulwood Tennis Club made the decision to replace an existing single grass court with a new synthetic court.

Whilst they initially set their sights on a tufted surface, the committee changed their mind once they saw Matchplay 2 at a local club.

The Result

During a recent visit to the club, we asked players and coaches for their opinion on the new Matchplay 2 surface. Everyone spoke highly of the new addition with the majority preferring Matchplay 2 to the club’s grass and hard court surfaces.

Lympsham Tennis Club

The club prides itself on its friendliness and as part of Lympsham Sports Club, its facilities are available to members 24/7, 365 days a year.

The Challenge

In an effort to further enhance Lympsham Sports Club’s excellent facilities, Lympsham Tennis Club made the decision to upgrade its existing courts to a high quality synthetic surface.

Due to its durability and low maintenance requirements, the client and contractor, Outdoor Carpets, selected Playrite’s Matchplay 2 tennis surface for the project.

The Result

Matchplay 2 is an ideal choice for Tennis Clubs as it requires low maintenance, provides superb underfoot comfort and boasts a consistent ball bounce.

The surface also allows for all weather usage and as the club is open 365 days a year increased playing time provides a great benefit – particularly in the winter months.

The new facilities were officially opened in the Summer of 2018 and are now being thoroughly enjoyed by the club’s members.

YMCA Activity Centre

More than 1,500 people use the YMCA every month from a varied customer base – young people, families, children,
community groups, sports teams, vulnerable adults, youth clubs, business meetings, and art classes.
It is a place where all the communities can get access to services and resources that will help them develop a better future for themselves and others.

The Centre boasts a state of the art indoor sports facility and they were looking to develop an existing outdoor all-weather pitch area which is used on a daily basis to give them an even better reputation. The project involved the upgrade of their existing sand-filled surface which had come to the end of its useful life, to a dedicated 3G football surface.

Playrite worked alongside Dura-Sport and YMCA to provide the best football surface solution in terms of a 3G product; every requirement was detailed knowing the YMCA wanted the surface to meet performance standards but at the same time durable enough for extensive use and a good quality product.

UK-based manufacturer Playrite offered the Conqueror 60MF surface, as it met all these requirements would give the centre an excellent outdoor sports facility.

The project was completed in August of 2016 and has definitely given the community something to talk about!

Cheddar Tennis Club

The Challenge

In early autumn 2018, Cheddar Tennis Club contacted Playrite to discuss the proposed upgrade of a block of four existing macadam courts to a a synthetic surface.
The club explained that they required a medium paced surface that was both hard wearing and low maintenance and after assessing Playrite’s wide range of surfaces, they decided that Matchplay 2 would offer the perfect solution. Members were also invited to play on a Matchplay 2 surface at a neighbouring tennis club which helped to reinforce the decision.

The Result

The club’s new Matchplay 2 courts were installed by Outdoor Carpets in January 2019 in a striking two tone colour scheme.

Cheddar Parish Council Chairman, Peter Colton, officially opened the new facilities in April 2019 describing the courts as a real asset for the future. During the ceremony he also congratulated the club on its development and forward thinking approach in keeping the facilities up-to-date.