Southport-based company Poly UP specialise in high-quality sports surfacing solutions and safety surfacing designed for durability, performance, and protection.
Founded by two brothers with a shared passion for the industry, Poly UP offer three main services:
1. Resin Bound Gravel Surfacing
Perfect for courtyards, pathways, and service areas, resin bound gravel surfacing provides an attractive, durable solution for both residential and commercial properties.
2. Rubber Crumb and Rubber Mulch Surfacing
Rubber crumb surfacing and rubber mulch surfacing are ideal for children’s playgrounds, using end-of-life recycled tyres where possible. These materials provide a safe and eco-friendly option for high-traffic areas.
3. Sport-Grade Artificial Grass
Sport-grade artificial grass is designed for durability and performance, making it ideal for recreational facilities, sports fields, and private properties
.Poly UP: A Business Built on Expertise
A King’s Trust-supported business, Poly UP was set up by brothers Lewis and Rob, with friend Tom stepping up as director in April 2025. Together, they bring over 30 years of combined industry experience, offering a strong mix of practical skills, technical knowledge, and operational expertise.
This balance allows them to consistently deliver high-quality work while building strong relationships with both clients and suppliers.
Having completed high-profile projects for universities, schools, golf courses, and even a St Tropez estate, Poly UP’s services are growing in demand. With big ambitions to scale, Poly UP sought new avenues for securing contracts.
Poly UP Takes the Leap: Winning £85k Contract
“Tendering seemed like the logical next step,” said Lewis, director of Poly UP.
“To be honest, we’ve been submitting tenders for a while, but we didn’t know how to structure them properly. When I saw the opportunity for the workshop, I’m so glad I did – it gave me the knowledge to succeed.”
Poly UP attended the Introduction to Tendering workshops, which were delivered by RTC North in partnership with Growth Platform and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. These workshops were designed to break down the tendering process, providing businesses with the tools and confidence they needed to apply for contracts successfully.
One of the workshops, run in partnership with InvestSefton, referred Poly UP to the course. Through their relationship with InvestSefton, Poly UP gained valuable insights into becoming “tender-ready,” including topics like social value, carbon reduction plans, and how to manage procurement team expectations.
Key Takeaways from the Tendering Workshop
When asked about his key takeaways, Lewis said: “I knew how to price jobs based on specifications, but the workshop taught me how to structure everything correctly. I was making mistakes that could have cost us jobs, but now I know exactly what to look out for.”
The clarity and support from the workshop resulted in immediate success, with Poly UP securing a project worth £85,000.
“The support has had a noticeable impact,” Lewis continued. “We’re putting a long-term tendering strategy in place and planning to hire someone full-time to manage tenders. The goal is to grow our team and scale the business throughout 2025/2026.”
The Future of Poly UP
Poly UP was one of 150 businesses to benefit from the workshops and follow-up support. Many other attendees have echoed their thoughts, saying, “Jamie’s delivery made the session easy to understand,” and “It was brilliant and extremely helpful.”
Steve Wilkinson, Project Manager at RTC North, added: “The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re excited about what we can do to help more businesses in the region scale and grow.”
Poly UP’s journey shows the power of experience, ambition, and the right support. With a clear focus on growth and a stronger understanding of the tendering process, Poly UP is well-placed for the next phase of expansion.
To find out more about support available from RTC North, click here.
For more on support through Growth Platform, click here, or for supply chain support, visit the Growth Platform Supplier Procurement Toolkit.