With the world opening up post-pandemic and summer quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to host a garden party! Now that the UEFA Euros 2021 are heating up, this is a great opportunity to get your family and friends together for a celebration of all the major events we have missed over the past year. Football is coming home, and so are your loved ones.
In this article, we explain why you should hire a marquee for your next garden party. We’ll also discuss any marquee rules and requirements in light of COVID to ensure that you and your guests can stay safe at your social gathering.
Reasons to hire a marquee
There are plenty of great reasons to hire a marquee. From saving on venue hire costs to being protected from the great British weather, a marquee has plenty of functional aspects that make it a welcome addition to any social gathering.
Aside from the grandeur that they add to your event, here are our top three reasons for hiring a marquee for your garden party this summer.
1. Bring the outside in
Current restrictions state that only 6 people or two households can meet indoors, meaning our larger parties are going to have to move to the outdoors. That being said, the English weather is almost as unreliable as our football wins. A marquee makes great use of your outdoor space, whilst shielding your guests from the elements and extreme weather.
A large number of marquees have open sides, allowing you to embrace the landscape around you. Regardless of whether you have a small garden or a large field, there are many different types of marquees available that can adapt to the space you have available.
2. Make the space your own
Between baby showers, graduations, and birthdays, we have plenty of events to make up for after lockdown. A marquee is a great option as it offers a blank slate in terms of styling, allowing you to add your own personal touch to the party.
From balloons to bunting, our party and birthday marquees have seen it all. Whether you like vintage, bright colours, or something neutral, the plain walls of our marquee provide the perfect backdrop to your celebration. Don’t forget, most marquee hire companies, such as ourselves, will have a great range of furniture and other extras to match any aesthetic - making your party planning simple!
3. Allow for social distancing
Until the 19th of July 2021, only 30 people are allowed to gather outdoors. Even after this date, however, a marquee will provide adequate shelter for guests. It will also give them the opportunity to social distance and stay safe. These large structures have ample space for people to stick to the two-metre rule and prevents the need of anyone having to enter your home to find some shade.
In addition, by having adequate markers throughout the marquee, you can also give guests a clear indication of how far apart they should be. Signage, designated place settings, and wide tables all help to keep people apart. This may not be possible if your guests were simply just outdoors.
Are there any rules for outdoor gatherings in a marquee?
With current COVID restrictions, only a group of up to 30 people can gather outdoors. A marquee can be used for partial shelter, however, they cannot be “enclosed orsubstantially enclosed”. At least 50% of the wall area of the marquee must be open for it to be considered outdoors. Stretch tents, tipis, and traditional marquees with roll-up canvases are therefore a suitable option for your garden party.
We’re often asked “do I need planning for a marquee?” and the short answer is no! As long as the marquee is not erected for longer than 28 days, planning permission is not required. In some circumstances where a marquee is used long term, planning permission is needed, however, for a garden party taking place over a day, this is not an issue.
Some people are also concerned about whether they need to apply for a temporary event notice from their local council. A temporary event notice is used when “licensable activities” are happening, such as live music or the sale of alcohol “for a consideration or with a viewto a profit”. In simple terms, this means you need a licence if you are charging admission or selling alcohol. When using a marquee for personal and private use, it is therefore not necessary to obtain a temporary event notice.
Final thoughts
A marquee is a great option for those wishing to gather with their close ones. Both before and after the 19th of July 2021, a marquee will give you a substantial structure to house your guests and shelter from the sun whilst also ensuring social distancing and safety.
Get in touch today to discuss our marquee options. We can help you with lots of details for your special event, from party planning to calculating whether your outdoor space can accommodate a marquee.
