Events business ideas you can start for up to £20,000
42 ideas
This page brings together 42 events business ideas with a startup cost of up to £20,000. That budget opens up equipment-led ideas such as garden party marquee hire, event furniture hire or mobile AV hire and operation, as well as lighter, skills-led options like wedding and event photography or a small corporate events agency.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mobile AV hire and operation for events
Supply and run sound, screens and lighting for local events, from small conferences to parties.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Livestream and hybrid event technician
Stream talks, meetings and ceremonies live for organisers who want an online audience.
- £1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bouncy castle hire from home
Start with a couple of castles stored at home and hire them out for local children's parties at weekends.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Small micro-wedding venue
Hire out a house, garden or small hall for intimate weddings of around 20 to 50 guests.
- £4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Garden party marquee hire
Hire out a few small marquees and gazebos for garden parties, christenings and birthdays, run from your home and a trailer.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Ticketed pop-up outdoor cinema season
Run seasonal ticketed film nights in parks, farms or venue grounds for local audiences.
- £5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Event and wedding videographer
Film weddings, conferences and private events, then edit highlight films for the clients.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Town box office and ticket shop
Run a small town-centre ticket desk selling in person and online for local venues and promoters.
- £3k-12k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small hireable space for parties and workshops
Rent a small hall or unit and hire it by the hour or day for parties, classes, meetings and pop-ups.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Weekly night market operator
Build a regular weekly evening market on a dependable site, with a loyal set of traders and a crowd that comes back.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Mobile bar and bartender team
Run a small team and a portable bar for weddings and corporate events across your area.
- £3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Wedding dress hire from home
Hire out a small collection of wedding dresses and accessories by appointment from a spare room at home.
- £1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online wedding dress hire by post
Rent dresses and accessories to brides across the UK through a website, sent out and returned by courier.
- £3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Online
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
Event furniture hire
Hire out tables, chairs and lounge furniture for weddings, parties and pop-ups, delivered from your garage or a small store.
- £2k-8k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
These ideas suit people who enjoy organising, are comfortable with weekend and evening work, and can handle busy seasons followed by quieter spells. Before you choose, think about where you would store equipment, how you would transport it, and what insurance you might need, particularly public liability. Check whether venues, councils or licensing rules affect the events you want to serve. Compare ideas by how much you must spend upfront against how quickly you could win your first bookings.
More ideas
- Hybrid event video hire and tech host
- Handwash and portable toilet starter hire
- Wedding and event photographer
- Local AV equipment hire, delivered
- Karaoke hire with delivery and set-up
- Freelance event build and install
- Custom stall and exhibition stand builder
- Mobile cocktail bar for events
- Wedding and corporate event band
- Pop-up model car track for events
- Wedding and events DJ
- Seasonal local production in a hired venue
- Portable haunted walk-through
- Pop-up play sessions in hired halls
- Exhibition stand fitting crew
- Mobile soft play for parties and events
- Mobile arcade machine hire
- Pop-up lesbian bar nights
Questions
How far can £20,000 go in an events business?
It depends on the model. Hire businesses tend to spend most on stock, storage and a vehicle, while service businesses such as photography or agencies spend more on kit, software and marketing. Price your first realistic bookings before buying everything.
Do I need insurance or licences to run an event business in the UK?
Often you will want to check. Public liability insurance is commonly requested by venues, and equipment hire may need extra cover. Alcohol, music or street events may involve licences or permissions from your local council, so confirm requirements before trading.
How can I find my first customers for an events business?
Start with local networks: venues, caterers, wedding planners and community groups who may refer work. A simple website, clear pricing and photos of past work help. Consider testing with a few discounted bookings to gather reviews and examples.