| 1. |
Are your marquees waterproof?
Yes. All of our marquees are made from the highest quality waterproof PVC. |
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| 2. |
Do I need flooring in the marquee?
No, it is not essential that you have flooring within your marquee unless your marquee is likely to be held in bad weather conditions.
For some events where a marquee is being erected on hard standing ground such as a patio or decking, the current flooring is usually sufficient.Coconut matting or carpet on hard flooring as it can be difficult to affix the matting/carpet to the ground and so we cannot 100% guarantee the best quality. During the winter months we would suggest not to lay.
Coconut matting is able to go on soft ground such as grass and providing it is laid over waterproof sheeting can be laid in bad weather although the safest option in bad weather conditions is a raised wooden floor and carpet.
In most instances coconut matting provides the most durable and cost effective option. Marquees Direct will always advise you on the best flooring option to suit both your specification and budget. |
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| 3. |
Are marquees suitable for winter events?
Absolutely. Marquees are suitable throughout the year, and when inquiring about a marquee with Marquees Direct we will always create a specification of marquee and equipment that suits the time of year.
During the winter months we would always advise that you hire one of our heaters to go with your marquee and in most cases hard wood flooring and carpet are more suited to ensure that your event is dry, comfortable and warm. Unless of course your event is on hard standing, where the current flooring is usually sufficient. |
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| 4. |
Can I decorate the marquee myself?
Of course, the ability to decorate a marquee is one of the unique selling points for choosing a marquee over another venue. We welcome customers to decorate their marquees, however we request that decorations are not stapled or taped onto the marquee surface, and that all decorations are removed prior to the day of take-down. |
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| 5. |
Are your marquees safe?
At Marquees Direct we only supply marquees of the highest quality that conform to all the necessary British and European Safety Standards. The manufacturer of all our standard marquees is a member of the Performance Textiles Association formally known as MUTA and certified ISO 9001 2000 by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).
For further information on health and safety, please click here. |
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| 6. |
What size marquee do I need?
Please see our size chart below to help you work out what type of size marquee you require.
Please note that this guide does not account for dance floors, bars, staging or catering tables. Please take this into account when trying to decide which size is right for your event.
If you are looking at our size guide for a seated event please note that our guide has been based on people being seated around 5’ round tables with 8 people per table.
You may be able to have slightly more guests than we recommend for a seated marquee as you can put up to 10 people on a 5’ round table.
For example: We recommend 32 people seated in a 6m x 6m Marquee. However if you chose to seat 10 at a table you could invite 40 guests.
(MARQUEE SIZES) |
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| 7. |
What’s the difference between lined and unlined marquees?
Marquee lining provides a more luxurious finish to a marquee. Most suitable for formal and celebratory events such as weddings or private parties.
With unlined marquees, the PVC walls and marquee structure are fully visible, making them more suitable for functional or casual events. |
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| 8. |
Can the marquee be connected to the building?
Our marquees can serve as an 'extension' or awning to a building if the space is suitable. Covered walkways are also possible. We are never able to connect a marquee fully to a building but we will work to erect the marquee, as close to the building as possible so only a very small gap is visible. |
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| 9. |
Can marquees be erected on uneven ground?
Marquees can be erected on uneven ground, however it is easier when marquees are erected on level ground. In some instances we will be able to erect a marquee on slightly uneven ground using ‘extension legs’. This technique will ensure that the marquee is erected level, but the lay of the ground will still be uneven underneath. |
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| 10. |
Can marquees be opened in warm weather?
Yes. The walls of our marquees can be opened and secured quickly and easily. Please see our gallery section for some examples of open marquees. |
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| Furniture & Equipment |
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| 11. |
Do you hire furniture?
Yes we have a wide range of furniture for hire with your marquee. Our furniture is also available for hire separately. |
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| 12. |
How many guests can I seat around a table?
As a general rule of thumb:
8–10 around a 5ft circular table
6-8 around a 4ft circular table
6 on a 6ft trestle table |
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| 13. |
Do high heels get stuck in coconut matting?
Very rarely but it is possible. Coconut Matting is one of our most popular flooring choices due to its cost effectiveness and durability. |
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| 14. |
Do we need a generator?
If you do not have a power source on your site then you would require a generator. Marquees Direct can advise you where to hire one from upon your enquiry |
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| 15. |
Do we need a heater?
During the summer months it is usually not necessary for a heater, unless you have chosen a particularly large marquee for use during the evening.
During the colder months we would always advise that you use a heater. Marquees Direct will be able to recommend the correct type and size of heater at your time of enquiry. |
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| 16. |
Do uplighters provide enough light?
No, uplighters should only be used as mood or effect lighting to go with other lighting options. Globe and Chandelier lights are the normal main lights used within our marquees. Details of which can be found in the lighting section of our site. |
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| 17. |
Do you hire toilets?
We are able to offer a range of toilets to service your event. For a smaller event we would suggest using a 2+1 unit and for some larger events it may require a larger unit with the option of a daily valeting service during your hire period. |
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| Payments and Hiring Policy |
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| 18. |
Why do I have to pay a deposit?
No binding contract will exist until you have accepted our quotation in writing and paid a 25% deposit and we have issued you with a written acknowledgment of your acceptance.
We ask for a deposit as a way of receiving full commitment to hire the marquee. As we only hold limited stock, if a customer decides not to go ahead with their marquee hire, we may be unable to re-book that stock for that duration. |
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| Deposits are non-refundable. |
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| 19. |
When must I make my final payment?
Final payment must be paid in cleared funds on the day the marquee is set-up. Payment can be paid to the Marquee Foreman dealing with your job in cash.
Alternatively you may phone the office and pay over the phone by credit card. If you wish to pay by cheque, then payment must be made 7 days in advance of your set-up so that the final payment can be cleared in time. |
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| 20. |
Can I make last minute changes to my marquee?
Alterations to accessory requirements can be made no later than 48 hours in advance and are subject to availability. Marquee alterations are flexible and are based on our terms and conditions. Should the Hirer wish to cancel any items from within the contract then our cancellation policy applies. Please see our Terms & Conditions for further details. |
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| 21. |
How long is your marquee hire period?
Our marquee hire period is for 1-2 days. Typically if hiring a marquee over the weekend we will erect your marquee on the Thursday or Friday before the weekend and take down on the Monday or Tuesday. If you require your marquee to be hired over a longer period of time we have a very reasonable extended hire price charge, which will be accurately calculated within your original quote. |
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| 22. |
When will you set-up and take down my marquee?
For an event being held over the weekend: Typically, we erect marquees on the Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before an event; and we dismantle them on the following Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. If you have a special requirement, please let us know. Additional charges may apply if you require your marquee to be erected on a Saturday or Sunday. Typically 10% of the hire charge will be applied for a Saturday set-up and 15% for a Sunday set-up.
For an event being held during a weekday: Typically we would set-up the marquee a day before your event and a day after your event, unless otherwise stated in advance of booking by the Hirer. |
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| Miscellaneous |
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| 23. |
Can you suggest venues?
We work closely with a selection of venues and would be pleased to recommend them where appropriate. Please click here for details of suggested venues for your marquee event. |
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| 24. |
Do you have insurance cover?
Yes. We hold Public Liability Insurance for a value of up to £5 million damages. We are able if required to offer risk assessments and method statements upon request. Details of insurance cover requirements can be found within our Terms & Conditions.
To read our Terms & Conditions please click here |
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| 25. |
Could a marquee damage cables or pipes running underneath the site?
Damage is possible if cabling or pipe work is near the surface. This should be discussed at the site consultation. The hire charges are based on the assumption that no drains, cables or other services are buried beneath the surface or otherwise concealed. |
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| 26. |
Will a marquee damage our garden?
Grass that has been covered for several days will temporarily turn a shade of yellow but should recover within 7 days. We are always very careful not to damage plants and flower beds if included in a marquee but would ask that any shrubs, plants or other materials that are obstructing the site and entrance to the site are removed before are arrival. |
