Things to consider when hiring a marquee
Hiring a marquee is a great way to create covered space at an outdoor event, festival, exhibition or show. Field and Lawn provide national marquee hire to some of the biggest and most recognisable events across the UK.
This blog will help give you an insight into the things to consider when hiring a marquee or structure for your event.
What type of event structures do we provide?
Field and Lawn have a vast range of high quality and versatile marquees for hire, suitable for all events and occasions. Our marquee hire fleet includes small event structures from 3m up to 9m.
Our medium sized marquees range between 10m to 20m. Our largest event structures span between 25m up to 30m.
Our marquees can be hired with soft or solid sides. We can also provide marquees with glazed panels or PVC windows. Here is some more detail on the types of marquees we have available for hire and what they are typically used for:
Clearspan event marquees, tents and structures
Clearspan event marquees are by far the most common and popular event structures we use. Clearspan marquees are large event structures that can be used for corporate events, festivals, shows and sporting events. These marquees are called “clearspan” because they have no internal support poles, which gives you maximum covered space and flexibility.
Marquee hire for corporate events and festivals
If you are organising a music festival or hiring a marquee for a corporate event, we have a track record of providing great venues for Christmas parties, product launches, large company meetings and award dinners! Our clearspan event structures are frequently used at large music festivals such as Glastonbury, Creamfields and Parklife. They are robust and durable and can be installed quickly, on a range of ground conditions.
We can also supply custom branded event marquees. A popular option to add some glamour to a corporate event or party is hiring a “Starcloth.” A stunning ceiling-mounted, LED star studded, marquee lining.
Temporary structures for sporting events
Great sporting events need a large amount of infrastructure. Temporary structures can be used to create fan zones, bars, ticket collection facilities, security checks and stages. The fan experience is a key consideration for event organisers and increasing dwell time before and after large sporting events is a key driver. Adding a range of ancillary structures can provide the sheltered space for fans to socialise, driving revenue for sporting venues.
Agricultural show STRUCTURES
Our event structures are widely used at some of the largest and most high profile agricultural and country shows. The list includes the Royal Highland Show where we deliver 14,000m2 ( 31/2 acre’s) of structures! This includes open sided and covered livestock sheds and display halls to high quality corporate marquees for business exhibiting at the show.
Graduation marquees and university open day TENTS
At Field and Lawn, we have been providing event marquees for university graduations and leavers days for over 30 years. This means we know what makes a memorable graduation ceremony. If you are hosting a university open day, we know how important it is to create a great first impression. Our marquees are some of the best in the business and will create a great environment to welcome prospective students at your next university event or open day.
Back of house, production, service and infrastructure tents
These are the workhorses of the event industry, the unsung heroes! They are practical and robust, no-frills structures that provide essential space for back of house event infrastructure. From event production facilities, broadcasting, welfare and catering through to security checks and baggage storage.
Wedding marquees and party marquees
Our beautiful wedding marquees can be fully lined, furnished and finished with lighting and the all important dance floor! If you are looking for an alternative to a traditional wedding venue a marquee wedding can be something truly magical and enchanting. Our wedding marquees can also be used as a birthday party venue, or for other large family gatherings and celebrations all through the year.
Where can I install an event marquee?
Our team are installation experts and have built structures in the most challenging of places. From the decks of aircraft carriers through to inside exhibition halls. We can install event marquees on virtually any surface. We use a range of anchoring systems from traditional pins and weights right through to complex cantilevered solutions.
How much space do you need for a marquee?
We often get asked this question and while it can vary from site to site, as a rule of thumb you need around 1m to 2m around the perimeter of the marquee to allow for installation, removal and access.
How much notice do we need to provide a marquee?
Peak marquee hire season covers the busy summer months of June, July and August. Like all large marquee hire companies we have big contracts to fulfil during this period and our order books are near capacity.
Field and Lawn’s installation teams are directly employed, in-house. This means during summer we are working across the country, supplying events such as the Royal Highland Show, Glastonbury, Parklife, the London Marathon and many more. It’s best to enquire about marquee availability as early as possible.
If your event takes place in summer, we typically start to receive enquires early in the year. If you’re attending a large event and need a marquee, we may already be supplying other customers at that event, so it’s never too late to ask for a quote.
If you’re looking for a marquee in the “shoulder” months of March, April and May through to September and October, we can offer more flexibility.
If you are looking for last-minute marquee hire, Field and Lawn still may be able to help you. Contact your local branch to enquire about the latest availability.
Site Safety for installation and removal
When you hire a marquee from Field and Lawn, we take care of the details such as health and safety. Our installation teams are fully trained and competent. They have vast experience of working alongside other contractors and event management teams at large events. Our teams are also experienced in working with private clients who might be organising a large wedding or birthday celebration.
You will be assigned a Project Manager who will take care of the details from start to finish. Providing a timeline, pre-handover inspection and, if required full on-site support during the event. Risk and method statements (RAMS) need to be completed.
Prior to installation, we will provide all our insurance details and site-specific risk and method statements for inspection ahead of installation. These are meticulously followed during the build and take down. All our operatives are provided with company branded PPE and we regularly audit our site to ensure the highest levels of health, safety and service are being delivered.
Marquee Insurance
When the marquee is on hire, it will need to be insured. There are a couple of options to do this. Firstly, we can provide a damage waiver. Alternatively, you can make arrangements for insurance and supply certificates to us in advance.
Event marquee flooring
Marquees can be completed with standard ply flooring laid to the contours of the ground. If you’re looking to create a level surface, we can supply event structures with cassette or suspended ringbeam flooring. This is generally fitted as part of a steel framed sub-structure floor. This option of flooring gives a flat and level surface up to a height of 600mm.
High quality marquee finishes
If you really want to impress and create a showcase structure, you can select additional luxury finishes. Full height glazing panels and glazed double entrance doors let in natural light and add instant sophistication to a temporary event structure.
Hard sided ABS plastic walling systems can make your marquee feel like a traditional building. These walling systems are ideal for trade shows and exhibitions. To provide safe and accessible temporary structures, we can provide bespoke access ramps and safety banisters. There are also many types of marquee linings. We can supply a range of interior marquee linings from pleated, platted and tac off linings in a spectrum of colours and styles to dress your venue in style.
Event marquee extras
Now you have the perfect structure for your event, you can hire the extra items you need to make the perfect event! From tables and chairs, heating, lighting, lining, flooring and more. Field and Lawn have a large stock and work with industry leading suppliers and supply everything you need to make your event or special occasion a success.
Managing the unexpected!
While we prefer to plan well in advance, we are aware of the challenges you face when organising large corporate events. Especially when plans can evolve and change in the lead up to the big day.
Even with the most meticulously well-planned event, the unexpected can happen. One of the biggest headaches event planners and managers face is the sudden need for additional marquee space. At the last minute!
In these situations, adding more structures may seem a straightforward solution but this does come with its own set of challenges. We can work with you to make sure you have all the space you need for your next event.
What to look for in a marquee hire company?
To wrap things up, there are many reputable marquee companies out there, but its important to undertake due diligence when selecting a hire company. We would always recommend a credit check and as a guide, these additional steps to make sure you find a trusted and competent marquee hire company.
1. References and reviews
Field and Lawn are happy to provide a range of client references, testimonials and reviews.
2. Willingness to undertake a site visit
We love to get out and on location! We would be delighted to visit your event site and assess the space before providing a quote. This will help us make sure we can supply a tent that fits your requirements and is suitable for the site.
3. Policies and procedures
Field and Lawn are Carbon Neutral and hold ISO Certification. Our processes are robust and are designed to ensure we deliver the very best experience before, during and after your event. Our policies, procedures and certification is available for inspection at any time. Always request the relevant policies before selecting a marquee hire company.
Get a marquee hire quote
We hope this guide has provided some tips and insight into the key things to consider when hiring a marquee. If you would like a marquee hire quote, we would be delighted to help. With four branches across the UK. Contact your local branch for a free quotation:
About the Author
Dan Acford is a Project Manager based at the Field and Lawn Bristol Branch. He has been in the event industry for 15 years.
His vast experience includes providing structures for large scale private and commercial events, festivals and shows.
Some of the highlights of his marquee project management experience includes working at Glastonbury, prestigious university graduations, county shows and more.
