Events Business Ideas You Can Start in the UK

128 ideas

This page brings together 130 events business ideas, from low-cost one-person services to ventures that need premises or equipment. Some suit people who enjoy performing or hosting, such as a children's party magician.

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1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k From home Out and about Own premises

Rack of formal dresses and tuxedos ready for hire in a shop.

Home-based formal wear hire by appointment

Hire out prom dresses, suits and occasion wear from a spare room, with fittings by appointment.

£1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years

Event planners setting up a conference hall with tables and stage for guests.

Freelance meeting and conference planner

Plan and run business meetings, away days and small conferences for companies, working from your own home office.

£300-2k
Side hustle
From home

6,379 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years

Small corporate events agency

Run a small team that plans conferences and company events for regular business clients, from a small office.

£3k-15k
Full-time
Own premises

6,379 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years

Evening night market with food stalls lit by string lights and shoppers.

Monthly evening pop-up market

Run a monthly evening market in a hired car park, hall or yard, with local food, craft and gift traders.

£500-4k
Side hustle
Out and about

7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Staff member selling tickets at a counter in a busy venue box office.

Local online ticket seller

Sell tickets online for small local events and shows, and keep a booking fee on each sale.

£300-1.5k
Side hustle
Online

4,991 UK companies in this field, 38% registered in the last 2 years

Town ticket and booking desk

Run a small shopfront selling tickets for local shows, tours and attractions on commission.

£3k-15k
Part-time
Own premises

4,991 UK companies in this field, 38% registered in the last 2 years

Group of sports fans with flags boarding a coach for a match trip.

Fan trips to matches and tournaments

Put together travel and ticket packages for fans following one sport or team to big matches at home or abroad.

£1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years

Club and athlete event tours

Organise trips for amateur teams and runners, cyclists or triathletes taking part in races and tournaments away from home.

£2k-8k
Side hustle
From home

7,667 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years

Shoppers browsing fresh vegetable and fruit stalls at an outdoor farmers market.

Monthly village or community farmers' market

Run a monthly market in a hall, green or car park, with local growers and makers paying for stalls.

£500-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Weekly town farmers' market operator

Run a regular weekly or themed market on a town site, building a loyal base of traders and shoppers.

£2k-8k
Part-time
Own premises

7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Visitors browsing handmade goods at a busy craft fair stall.

Local craft fair organiser

Hire a hall a few times a year and run a fair where local makers pay for stalls.

£200-1k
Side hustle
Out and about

7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Seasonal craft fair series

Run bigger Christmas or summer craft fairs in larger venues with a mix of curated makers.

£1.5k-8k
Part-time
Out and about

7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Workers setting up a marquee with tables and chairs for an outdoor event.

Home-based party kit hire

Hire out tables, chairs, decorations and small party kit from your garage or spare space, delivered locally.

£800-4k
Side hustle
From home

1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years

Bouncy castle and inflatables hire

Own a few bouncy castles and deliver, set up and collect them at weekend parties and school fetes.

£2.5k-10k
Side hustle
Out and about

1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years

Marquee and event furniture hire

Run a full-time hire business from a small unit, supplying marquees, tables and chairs for weddings and larger events.

£8k-40k
Full-time
Own premises

1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years

Wooden stalls at an outdoor Christmas market with festive lights at night.

Village hall Christmas fair organiser

Hire a local hall, fill it with 20 to 40 craft and food stalls and charge stallholders a pitch fee.

£300-1.5k
Side hustle
Out and about

7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Outdoor Christmas market for your town

Run a multi-day festive market with timber chalets, food stalls and entertainment on a square, park or car park.

£15k-75k
Part-time
Own premises

7,380 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Stage lights hanging over a theatre stage during a live performance.

Stage lighting hire from home

Build a small stock of stage lights and hire them out to bands, schools, churches and local events.

£2k-10k
Side hustle
From home

2,469 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years

Rented tables and chairs arranged inside a marquee ready for a wedding reception.

Small marquee and party hire from home

Hire out small marquees, tables and chairs for garden parties and family events, run from a garage or storage unit.

£2k-8k
Side hustle
Out and about

7,895 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years

Sound engineer at a mixing desk with speakers set up for an event.

Audio hire from home, small events

Hire out speakers, mixers and mics for parties, pub gigs and community events, run from a spare room or garage.

£1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

7,895 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years

Wedding planner reviewing details with a clipboard beside a decorated table.

Home-based event planner

Plan birthdays, weddings and small parties for clients from your home, working with local venues and suppliers.

£200-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

6,379 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years

Corporate event planner

Organise team days, conferences and client evenings for local businesses on a project or retainer basis.

£500-3k
Part-time
Out and about

6,379 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years

A large crowd enjoying an outdoor music festival stage at dusk.

One-day local food, music or craft festival

Plan and run a themed one-day festival on a hired field or park, paid for by tickets, stall fees and sponsors.

£8k-30k
Part-time
Out and about

20,864 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years

Mini themed festival at a pub, hall or garden

Run a small themed festival inside a venue that already has its licences, splitting takings with the owner.

£500-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

20,864 UK companies in this field, 31% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Others are more about logistics and storage, like an inflatable hire business with a storage unit or wedding dress hire from home. If you own land or a large garden, a barn or garden venue for weddings and celebrations may be worth exploring. Before choosing, think about how much work you can take on at weekends and in peak seasons, where you would store kit, and what insurance and licences your chosen activity might need. Start by comparing startup costs and how you would find your first customers.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need a licence to run an events business in the UK?

It depends on what you offer. Alcohol, music, public entertainment, fireworks, food and venue use can each involve different rules. Check with your local council and relevant bodies early, before you spend money on equipment or advertising.

What insurance should I check for an events business?

Look at public liability insurance first, as many venues and clients ask for proof of it. Depending on your idea, you may also need to check cover for equipment, employers' liability, stock in storage or events cancelled at short notice.

Can I start an events business alongside another job?

Many events ideas run mainly at weekends or evenings, so some people start part-time. Check how much time you would need for admin, setup, travel and clearing up, and whether your current employer's contract allows outside work.