June 15, 2004

By: Sean Thissen
Website: http://www.1st-in-fitness.com

A new soft play centre on Jarrow's Viking Business Park

A Jarrow deep-sea diver has taken a very different career route and is all set to bring a wave of jobs to South Tyneside.

Ged Edgar and his partner Kerry Main are bracing themselves for an influx of small people as they open the doors of Atlantic Antics - a new soft play centre on Jarrow's Viking Business Park.

The colourful 9000 sq ft facility will open tomorrow with slides, trampolines, ball pools, inflatables and a soft floor sports area for football and basketball.

South Tyneside Council's Business Development Team also helped secure a grant for the new business through the Council's Major Business Grant Fund, and TEDCO provided support through the business planning process.

The Council's Employment Development Team worked with Jobcentre plus and Business Link to recruit and provide training for potential recruits, with 22 people being employed in the new enterprise.

David Slater, the Council's Executive Director Corporate Development, welcomes the new venture. He says: I am pleased that the Council's Economic Development Team have been able to provide the support to help Atlantic Antics to establish their business in the Borough. It will bring much needed job opportunities to the area.

Ged says: I have had help from both the Economic Development Section and particularly the Employment Development Section who have helped design and pay towards a specific leisure/safety training package for all my employees.

The centre is aimed at families with children aged up to 12, and will be the first of its kind in South Tyneside. Parents will be able to relax and watch television, read newspapers or magazines or even use the Internet whilst their children play safely in a secure area.

The arrival of Atlantic Antics marks further success for the Viking Business Park and Jarrow riverside area in general that was once home to the former steelworks.

Author Notes:

Sean Thissen contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-fitness.com.  A source of information and helpful tips on various types of fitness equipment.