National Strategy for Economic Development, Dundee
Product: Staging, backdrops and visitor seating
Supplier: QUICKBLOCK, 0141 478 0365, info@quickblock.uk, www.quickblock.uk
Details: The Scottish government was launching its National Strategy for Economic Development and QUICKBLOCK was chosen to provide some of the event infrastructure.
Businesses are being challenged to be more sustainable and are tasked with looking at the environmental impact of events and how to reduce it. The fact QUICKBLOCK is made from 100% recycled plastic, which otherwise would contribute to landfill or ocean waste, was a major factor in the procurement process and final decision.
The versatility and speed in which you can assemble, reconfigure and disassemble QUICKBLOCK allowed the contractors to spend more time on problem areas and less time on erecting the event infrastructure as there was no requirement for special tools or construction skills.
Due to it’s innovative, modular design, the solutions available are endless. For this event, QUICKBLOCK’s Main Stage, Visitor Seating and Location Backdrops were chosen, all of which were assembled in less than one and a half hours.
The 4.8m x 2m stage with wooden platform was built in 20 minutes. The platform was then carpeted to provide a clean, professional finish.
The event required enough seating for a minimum of 50 visitors. 10 corner sofas and 10 benches, which included all-weather seat pads, were assembled in 45 minutes.
Backdrops were used to create areas for people to meet, as part of the shell scheme infrastructure and as cordons to stop people from entering restricted areas. Two contractors erected these backdrops in 25 minutes having had no previous experience using the product.
Customer feedback: Marketing and communications director Gill Simpson said: “We absolutely love the QUICKBLOCK product and it reflects our business values perfectly. Its flexibility means we can use it at our varying events, and it is always a huge talking point that makes our space stand out from the crowd. The QUICKBLOCK team are the friendliest and most hard working we have come across, and whenever we work with them it simply feels like they are an extension of our own team. I couldn’t recommend QUICKBLOCK more!”
BBC Proms, Hull
Product: 15x20m stretch tent
Supplier: Tentickle Stretch Tents UK, 07826 843099, info@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk, www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk
Details: Tentickle Stretch Tents was asked to provide a stage cover for the BBC Proms in Hull. With very strict compliance needs, Tentickle provided all health and safety documents, risk assessments and weather monitoring. The wind is an extremely important factor for any type of temporary structure. A combination of wind forecasting services and on-site wind meters were used to determine the suitability of installing a stretch tent – safety is paramount and overrides any client wishes.
With everything in place for a safe installation the stretch tent was installed ready for the Proms. The professional crew installed the 15x20m stage cover in four hours. Once fully installed the orchestra was allowed to enter the tent and set up ready for the Proms. The event was a huge success and was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.
Glastonbury Festival, Somerset
Product: Marquees, solar power and production
Supplier: Selene Events, 07778 765724, sh@seleneevents.com, www.seleneevents.com
Details: One event that Selene Events frequent is Glastonbury Festival where the round little big top was first put up in the only Green Field in 1986. Now the festival has grown to the size of a pop up city, the Green Fields are eight separate areas, of which Selene Events runs one; known as the Croissant Neuf field, it is all about sustainability.
The four pole big top, accommodating 1,000 people complete with stage, PA tower and seating, is entirely run from solar power, as pioneered at the festival 33 years ago! The matching smaller marquees make a backstage area and artistes’ green room, and others are used by exhibitors in the main arena.
Among the trials and tribulations of putting up marquees and running outdoor events is the weather and being exposed to the ever changing elements. Glastonbury Festival is no exception, being famously known for mud. Wind has not been a problem as the marquees stand up to pretty hefty gusts, sun is only a problem when the ground turns to dust and sticks to the tents, and of course rain is a problem when the ground, trodden on by many thousands of people, turns to mud, mud, glorious mud, which then has to be cleaned off meticulously so the structures are sparkling clean and fresh for the next event.
With a wealth of experience in the festival, wedding, private parties, educational and corporate fields, Selene Events tailors a customer’s special requirements to suit all event needs, offering anything from a beautiful single marquee of a chosen size to a fully themed event.
Customer feedback: Michael Eavis, Glastonbury Festival founder and organiser, said: “Selene Events runs a tight ship and has been an integral and respected part of the festival family since the eighties. Their Croissant Neuf venue has its roots firmly stuck in the mud at the Green Field’s entrance. It’s been around for over 30 years and has set the tone of those fields and will continue to do so forever.”
PRODUCT SNAP SHOT
Marquees and Colourful Big Tops
Meerkat Marquees
07966 402696
info@meerkatmarquees.co.uk
www.meerkatmarquees.com
Offering traditional marquee and colourful big top hire, Meerkat Marquees’ versatile range caters for any event need. With 30 years’ experience, the company is well respected and enthusiastic about making large scale events and private parties happen without a hitch.
Check out The Big Red, a real circus tent with standing capacity of 1,600 or around 500 seated at round tables. It has 13 foot side walls and a four king pole truss with 20 foot cupola.
Zero Waste Flexible Event Structures
CORE Bar and Event Hire
0845 299 6499
sales@core-barandeventhire.com
www.core-barandeventhire.com
The MESR-Technic structure from CORE Bar and Event Hire takes advantage of the extensive benefits of carbon fibre and carbon fibre composite materials. Create structures for almost any outdoor or even indoor event, with multiple levels and numerous shapes and configurations.
Infinite flexibility means endless possibilities. These structures are modular and adaptable, light enough to be transported and assembled by a small team, yet strong enough to provide a festival stand or community space for those events that need it most. Fully assembled within a few hours, MESR-Technic provides quick and safe solutions with a zero waste philosophy.
Elegant Stretch Tents
Alternative Stretch Tents
01920 830256
info@alternative-stretch.co.uk
www.alternative-stretch-tents.co.uk
Alternative Stretch Tents hire elegant stretch tents for a huge variation of events across the UK. From brand activations to festivals to funerals. Whether it’s blending into the natural surroundings or making a statement through certain rigging techniques, we truly believe the ‘stretch tent’ can suit and add that lasting impression to any event.
Now specialising in long term installs, purchases and custom size tents, we pride ourselves on great customer service, advice and long term support.
Spanning festival stages, bending around that awkward tree or spanning a water feature, if it’s for hire or purchase, years of rigging experience make almost any space possible!
Master Craftsmen and Marquee Hire
Top Cat Big Tops
01654 700030
info@topcatbigtops.co.uk
www.topcatbigtops.co.uk
Top Cat Big Tops has been going for a few years, directed by Rob Sage (formally of Roustabout). We are both a colourful marquee hire company as well as master craftsmen, manufacturing marquees with expertise and love in our workshop. One of our private commissions was featured on a Channel Four show where the proprietor rigged it himself in his Chateau grounds, next to his Orangery! We concentrate on manufacturing over the winter months with our core local crew, expanding the crew during the hiring festival months. Our clients vary widely, from the well-known festivals, smaller niche ones, corporate dos as well as funky weddings and private parties.
