The work of our metal shop is often hidden from view, taking the form of a support structure or frame. For this project, however, they produced some fabulous work, creating complex curves and angles that spell out the words ‘LET’S PLAY’ along a 12m long climbing traverse.

The traverse was the centrepiece of a brand-new play area at a multi-million-pound shopping centre extension in Leeds. Fabricated in eight 3m-high sections, each one comprised a box steel frame clad in 3mm sheet steel. The outer profile of a letter was precision cut using our CNC flat bed laser cutter, while each 550mm deep internal profile was rolled to the correct radius or bent to the correct angle. All sections were welded together to create a series of steel boxes, with fun, cut-away letters that children could climb on and through.

The traverse was painted orange and clad with durable iroko timber before the hand and foot holds were added. We also manufactured two entrance arches embedded with LEDs; five seating units and a series of wooden animals. All work conformed to ROSPA regulations for play equipment.