Wedding and event marquee hire
Run a full marquee business from a small yard or unit, supplying weddings, festivals and corporate events with a small crew.
- £15k-70k
- Full-time
- Own premises
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 larger stock of frame and traditional marquees with flooring, lining, lighting, furniture and heating, stored in a unit or yard. A small crew delivers, builds and takes down each event.
Your first three steps
- Write a simple business plan covering stock, storage, vehicles and your likely busy season
- Find a unit or yard and get quotes for stock, a van or lorry, and insurance
- Visit local wedding venues and planners, and offer to help on a trial event to build references
Who pays
Couples planning weddings, event planners, venues, schools, local businesses and organisers of village fêtes and small festivals.
How it makes money
Hire fees based on marquee size and event length, plus charges for installation, lining, flooring, lighting, furniture and out-of-area delivery.
Skills that help
- Project and crew management
- Planning event layouts and logistics
- Sales and quoting
- Comfortable with heavy physical work
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability insurance once you take on staff, and cover for stock and vehicles
- Health and safety: check requirements for working at height, manual handling and safe erection of structures
- Fire safety certificates for marquee fabric and any heating or lighting you supply
- Check planning permission or permitted use for your yard or unit with your council
- Business is seasonal, so plan cash flow for quiet winter months
- Vehicle needs: check licence category if you use a larger van or lorry
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: wedding and event marquee hire
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 in the UK?
Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £70,000, depending on how much stock, flooring, lining, lighting, furniture and heating you buy, and on the yard or unit and vehicles you need. These figures are estimates.
How much can a marquee hire business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many events you book and how large your stock is. The business is seasonal, so plan your cash flow for the quiet winter months.
What insurance and rules should I check before starting a marquee business?
Check public liability insurance, employer's liability once you take on staff, and cover for stock and vehicles. Also check health and safety for working at height, fire safety certificates for fabric, heating and lighting, and planning permission for your yard or unit.
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