Soho property investor’s co-fund new playground for the Soho Parish Primary School

1 October, saw the unveiling of a new innovative playground at Soho Parish Primary School that has been part-funded by 11 leading Soho property investors, including Shaftesbury. Urban natural play specialists, Jane’s Pond have designed the new playground and have created a fun multi-use educational play area in an exciting modern architectural piece.

Eleven leading Soho property investors have supported the Soho Parish Primary School to provide over 50% of the £250,000 plus cost of an innovative new playground for the school.

The school itself has worked tirelessly over the last three years to raise the balance of funding. Many local businesses have supported the very popular annual Soho food Feast, which has been a major source of finance.

The exciting new design for the playground was produced and constructed by Jane’s Pond, the urban natural play specialists. It provides a fun, multi-use educational play area within an exciting modern architectural piece, which can be seen from an entirely new street façade. The elevated decking, green spaces, play cubes and ropes provide pupils with a unique play and learning experience, eliminating a physical barrier between the school and the local community.

Brian Bickell, Chief Executive of Shaftesbury, who worked closely with the school to co-ordinate the fundraising said: “The school’s playground was no longer fit-for-purpose with severely limited outdoor space. Jane’s Pond produced and delivered an imaginative solution to provide more and inter- active space for pupils, who are growing up in the most intensively urbanised environment in . The Soho Parish Primary School plays an important part in the flourishing residential community within Soho. It was heartening to see so many of the property investors in Soho coming forward to support the playground project, which ensures the school can continue its important role in the Soho community.”

For further information and images please contact Scarlett Engineer at Sister Tel: 020 7287 9601 [email protected]

Notes to Editors Hi-res images available on request Companies contributing to the fund-raising include:

Shaftesbury

Derwent London

Enstar Capital

Great Portland Estates

JLL

Land Securities

Dukelease

Firmdale

PMB Holdings

Raymond Estates

Soho Estates

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Soho Parish Primary School

Soho Parish is a small state voluntary-aided school with 156 children, situated in the heart of London. Having no faith entry criteria, it serves the local community and 95% of its children come from the surrounding area. The school works closely with pupils and families and all the staff know every child by name. As the only school in Soho, it has an important role to play in Soho, providing jobs, enabling families to live in the area and enriching the community by providing a focal point to bring it together.

Jane’s Pond

Jane’s Pond has an established reputation for creating outstanding natural playgrounds, play areas and landscapes for inquisitive and active children of all ages and abilities.

Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a Investment Trust, which owns a unique real estate portfolio extending to 14 acres in the heart of London's West End - a highly popular, sought-after and prosperous location. Shaftesbury focuses on retail, restaurants and leisure in the liveliest parts of the West End. The portfolio comprises 583 shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs; 422,000 sq. ft. of offices and 509 apartments. Its proven management strategy is to create and foster distinctive, attractive and prosperous locations. Its holdings are concentrated in Carnaby, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Chinatown, Soho and Charlotte Street.