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
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
7,895 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 77390 “Renting and leasing of other machinery, equipment and tangible goods n.e.c.”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small hire business with a few pop-up gazebos, 3x3m to 6x6m frame marquees, plus tables and chairs. You deliver, set up and collect for garden parties, christenings, birthdays and small community events.
Your first three steps
- Check local hire prices and decide on a starter stock of marquees, tables and chairs
- Find dry storage and a vehicle or trailer that can carry the kit safely
- Set up a simple booking page and tell local groups, schools and neighbours
Who pays
Families hosting parties at home, local clubs, schools, village fetes and small community groups.
How it makes money
A hire fee per event or weekend, plus delivery and set-up charges. Tables, chairs and extras like lighting or flooring add to each booking.
Skills that help
- Practical and comfortable lifting
- Reliable and well organised with bookings
- Friendly customer service
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and cover for your hired-out equipment (check the policy)
- Marquees can be dangerous in wind, so set clear weather and anchoring rules
- Check whether storing kit at home needs permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council
- Damage and loss, so consider a deposit and clear hire terms
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: small marquee and party hire from home
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a marquee hire business?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on how many marquees, tables and chairs you buy and your storage and transport. Check insurance cover for hired-out equipment.
How much can a small marquee hire business earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on how many bookings you take and the kit you have available. Hours start at around 6 a week, with delivery, set-up and collection adding time on busy days.
What should I check before hiring out marquees?
Check public liability insurance and cover for hired-out equipment. Set clear weather and anchoring rules, as marquees can be dangerous in wind. Also check whether storing kit at home needs permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council.
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Photo: galatent on Pixabay