MARQUEE HIRE FAQS

Marquee Tent Hire FAQs

About Our Marquee Hire Service

What areas do you cover?

We have over 30 years’ experience providing marquees for hire in Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, and Berkshire. We are just as happy working in Winchester, Alton, Farnham, Guildford, Chichester, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Emsworth, Petersfield, Liss, Hook, Alresford or Newbury.

How much marquee installation experience do you have?

We have over 30 years’ experience and are accredited by the Safe Contractor scheme for added peace of mind. We are up to any challenge!

Can you help with event inspiration, ideas or other services?

Yes, just ask! We have contacts for most services and can give you ideas about flowers, furniture, caterers, venues, colour schemes, and many more things besides.

What if my event is in an unusual location?

We have put marquees on beaches, ships, inside buildings, ski pistes, on roof gardens, zoos, Scottish Islands and in Holland, Belgium, France, and Switzerland

What types of marquee are available for hire?

We offer three main marquee styles: clearspan marquees, traditional poled marquees, and Pagoda marquees.

Clearspan marquees are our most popular. They provide a modern, open space with no internal poles, making them ideal for weddings and corporate events.
Traditional poled marquees offer a classic look with elegant lines, perfect for garden parties and country weddings.
Pagoda marquees are smaller, stylish structures often used for entrances, bar areas, or intimate gatherings.

We regularly update our stock to make sure our customers have access to the latest designs and the highest-quality frames.

What types of events do you cater for?

We supply marquees for a wide range of events, including weddings (around 70% of our bookings), corporate launches, parties, school events, and garden celebrations. We also provide long-term marquee hire and marquee purchase options for commercial clients.

Our marquees available for hire can be tailored for small gatherings or large-scale functions. We also work closely with many local venues.

For full details on commercial structures, including long-term hire and purchase, please visit our commercial marquees website.

What is included in your marquee hire service?

Our service includes delivery, professional setup, and removal of the marquee. We provide a full range of accessories, such as lighting, furniture, dance floors, luxury toilets, generators, and audio-visual equipment. We can arrange catering tents and advise on power requirements. If you need help with flowers, colour schemes, or entertainment, we work with trusted local suppliers and are happy to guide you.

Why should I choose Alresford Marquees for marquee hire?

With more than 30 years’ experience setting up marquees for weddings, parties and events, we deliver personal service and attention to detail. Director Oli Charrington oversees every project to ensure your marquee matches your vision. Our team is polite, approachable, and respectful of your property. We provide transparent, itemised quotes and offer a free on-site consultation to confirm every detail before installation. Our reputation across Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, and Berkshire is built on reliability and customer satisfaction.

Marquee Hire Booking, Cancellation, and Payment FAQs

How do I formalise a marquee hire booking?

To book, call 01420 587 444 or email info@hiremarquee.co.uk We’ll prepare an initial quote and arrange a site visit to confirm your requirements. A deposit is required to secure your booking. Please phone us as soon as possible to let us know. We can then formalise your booking with a deposit.

What happens during a site visit?

A site visit lets us meet you, understand your plans, and assess your space. We advise on the right marquee type and size, share ideas from past events, and discuss any extras you may need, such as furniture, lighting, or catering tents.

We measure your garden or venue, review access and ground conditions, and check for anything that could affect installation. The visit is free and ensures your marquee fits the space safely and smoothly.

What is your cancellation policy?

Please call us as soon as possible if you think you may need to cancel or reduce the size of your marquee so we can adjust your booking. We invoice for the full hire on delivery, and our team can accept payment by cash or cheque.

Marquee Setup and Removal FAQs

How do I prepare my site for marquee installation?

If you are able, please cut the grass as short as possible and clear the area of any obstacles, including dog waste, before we arrive. If we are installing on hard standing, we may need to drill small holes for anchoring; we can repair tarmac afterwards.

If there are underground pipes, cables, or other hazards, please provide a site plan. A marquee can stay in place for up to three weeks without causing permanent damage to your lawn.

When will you need final numbers for furniture?

We will contact you about 10 days before the marquee is due to be erected to establish your final numbers for chairs, tables, etc. Please call us if you know in advance. You only pay for marquee furniture delivered.

What preparation is needed for the grass?

Please cut the grass as low as you can prior to the arrival of the marquee (with the pick-up box on). The marquee can stay in place for up to 3 weeks before any permanent damage is done to the grass.

What if the marquee is on hard standing?

If the marquee is on hard standing, we will need to drill some holes for Rawlbolts (normally 22mm dia.). We have Tarmac repair products.

Do I need to inform you about underground objects?

A site plan should be provided if there are any pipes, cables, Roman remains, or underground objects under the marquee site area.

How soon is the marquee removed?

We will remove the marquee as soon as possible. At peak times, we may ask if we can take it away on a Sunday, so please let us know if this is not possible.

What condition should the marquee be left in?

We do expect to find the marquee in the same condition as we left it, with no bottles or guests under the tables, please!

Marquee Hire Power, Catering, and Entertainment FAQs

How is the marquee powered?

We will need to take a power supply from your house to run marquee lights. A 13 amp socket is usually sufficient. We can advise on power for lighting, catering, and entertainment. A standard 13-amp socket is usually enough for lighting, but larger events or catering equipment often require a generator, which we can arrange. If you plan to have a band or disco, let us know their power requirements and whether they need a stage — we have stage sections available. We can also recommend suppliers for discos, floristry, and linen hire to ensure every detail of your event is covered.

Do I need a generator?

If caterers are using boilers, ovens, etc., we prefer to supply a generator, which would be at extra cost. We use local suppliers in Farnham, Surrey, or Portsmouth, Hampshire.

What do you need to know about my entertainment/disco?

We need to know if your band or disco will require a power supply and if so, how much. They may also need a stage (8′ x 4′ x 1′ section available on request). We also have a very good disco contact.