StandOut Winter Issue 2025 by Cogent Multimedia Ltd

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10 WINNING BUSINESS

Looking for new business opportunities? Discover news of contract wins and tenders up for grabs

12 EVENT BUYERS LIVE

Event Buyers Live 2025 facilitated high-level business and meaningful conversations. Check out what you missed, including our incredible EBL25 picture gallery…

22 SECURING THE FUTURE OF SPORT

UK Sport’s Esther Britten on the creation of a new not-for-profit company that hopes to support the delivery of major sporting events

24 A NEW CHAPTER FOR CARFEST

CarFest has a new home for 2026. Anjna Raheja, festival director, and Neil Levene, festival producer, discuss CarFest’s next chapter

28 SAFE AND SECURE

Event professionals discuss the importance of choosing the right security services for your event and the role of open communication

33 POD MASTER

Podcasts are building loyal communities and turning them into live audiences. On In Five’s Adam Conway shines a light on why podcast tours are the next big thing

37 ON THE MENU

Great food and drink can drive revenue and enhance the overall event experience

44 PITCH PERFECT

How a small – but growing – event series is putting Chipping Sodbury on the map

48 WHO CAN YOU SPOT?

StandOut headed to The Showman’s Show to catch up with #Eventprofs. But who did we bump into?

55 ON TRACK

Ground protection specialists discuss best practices, industry trends, and new products

12 EVENT BUYERS LIVE

55 ON TRACK

33 POD MASTER 24 A NEW CHAPTER FOR CARFEST

37 ON THE MENU

THE SHOW GOES ON

Keep your event moving, no matter what.

WINTER 2025

or, I feel like it’s been ages since I sat at my laptop and penned you a note. I say penned, but you know what I mean. So much has gone on since the beginning of October. For starters, we had fun at The Showman’s Show and caught up with so many people, and now myself and the team are riding the incredible wave that was Event Buyers Live 2025 (EBL).

You will know, that as well as the intense event debriefs, where you acknowledge what needs to change, it’s important to celebrate the successes once you’ve come off site. Unfortunately, the reality is that our industry bounces from one job to the next and we don’t always have time to take a moment.

This very point came up in conversation at EBL when I was joined on stage by Claire Haffenden, founder of Haffenden and Co and former head of events and artist relations at Universal Music. She openly admitted that this was one of her biggest lessons learned during her 30 years in music. As event professionals, we don’t take enough time to reset between jobs and pat ourselves on the back. It’s a conveyor belt where we prep to go again. We do need to rest between jobs. But sadly, we’re often in a cycle where we are constantly recharging.

In October, I did a little recharging when I headed to Hvar, Croatia, for a few days. Thinking I would get some down time. As I wandered the streets of Hvar Old Town, there it was. Bugger me. Spartan Race, the mass participation event, was loading in. Still, it made me smile and I’m very lucky that my job makes me smile on regular occasions. Careers can give you so much, jobs can make you incredibly happy, but we still need balance.

I learned a lot at this year’s EBL and as we plan for 2026, there is still more to learn. For instance, I’m already thinking about the content for next year’s event and I am planning which events I will be checking out with my trusty high viz and steelies as we prep to step into next year. Would you like me to join you on-site? Would you let me pick your brain and share your story? Your lessons learned and successes? Email caroline@standoutmagazine.co.uk and we’ll talk. But first. A nanna nap. And a pat on the back. Oh, and if you missed EBL25, turn to page 12 and read our review. There’s already a wait list for 2026 so if you had FOMO this year, get involved.

Happy reading, Caroline

Cover image: © Manchett Security

This month’s

CONTRIBUTORS:

ADAM CONWAY

Adam is an events professional with more than 15 years’ experience, working in a variety of event and festival roles. From festival design and production to tour and production management, Adam has worked his way up through the ranks in companies such as Sound City and MAMA and Co. But now he runs his own business.

He founded On In Five Production in 2020 after noticing a gap in the market for creative event production servicing the touring podcast and social artist market. Podcasting is a rapidly growing market that is no longer limited to earbuds. In this issue, Adam explains all…

ESTHER BRITTEN

Esther is UK Sport’s head of major events and is responsible for the UK’s major sporting event hosting strategy, strategically programming and investing on behalf of the UK Government to ensure the UK continues to host the most significant and impactful major international sporting events.

Esther is an experienced team leader and is often found at board level, strategically managing major events and ensuring they deliver for host cities, rights holders and Government partners. In this winter edition, Esther discusses her new role, as an observer on the board of UKEL, the organisation responsible for delivering Grand Départ GB 2027.

NEIL LEVENE

Neil is no stranger to the events world. The former director of operations at Brand Events, Neil is now festival producer of CarFest and in 2022, launched We Plan Events, a consultancy service providing management and operational support to the event and festival industry.

With board experience in operations and business management, Neil is using his broad expertise to ensure CarFest moves forward with its future plans, which now include a site move for 2026. Next year, CarFest will take place at Silverstone. Turn to page 24, where Neil and the CarFest team reveal all about the move…

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Attitude is Everything has appointed Catherine Pymar as CEO and Paul Hawkins as deputy CEO.

Thousands of visitors to Milton Keynes International Festival (MKIF) looked up in awe as they watched a myriad of performers dance, climb, sing and drum on a 40-metre high sculpture this summer. Transe Express’ DNA Vertical Odyssey wowed visitors who travelled from as far afield as Aberdeen, Brighton, Newcastle, Liverpool, Southampton, and St Ives. Whilst the festival took place in July, the organising team has now revealed the positive impact that MKIF had on the local community. For example, 210,000 people are estimated to have experienced the festival as they encountered events taking place in public spaces. Interestingly, 72 per cent of the events were free to attend.

LINKEDIN POST OF THE MONTH

People

Judith Manson Managing director Goldline Events

There are 6,600 UK running events. But there isn’t enough collaboration.

During the pandemic, the industry came together through the Mass Participation Sports Organisers group. We had some great conversations around shared challenges, best practice and local council guidance, which varied dramatically. I built lasting relationships with other organisers, but I still think we could do so much more.

There are a few ways we could collaborate:

• Marketing and entry sales – Most runners switch events every year, so multi-event discounts could be a great way to attract new runners and provide additional value.

• Commercial opportunities – Events in similar areas or at different times of the year could partner to offer a single sponsorship deal to a brand.

• Health and safety – This does happen to an extent, but sharing insights into new research and tech on keeping runners safe could improve safety across every event. If we work together, we could make every running event more attractive, safer, and profitable.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Pearce Hire has launched a power guide, designed to help organisers identify the right event solutions.

The EIF and Power of Events are asking the outdoor events industry to take part in a survey to establish the size and value of the sector.

Guidance on how to check whether people are eligible to work in the UK has been added to the Purple Guide

Kevin Moore is now festival director at Y Not Festival

Alex Lewis has joined Olympia Events as chief operating officer.

Freemans Event Partners has appointed Dan O’Gorman as commercial partnerships director.

DRPG has promoted Brad Harris to head of creative for events.

has appointed Tywan Ferreira as head of production and Mitch Balintos as head of development.

ExCeL London has appointed James Mark to the role of chief operating officer.

Amy Oldham, former DICE UK managing director, has joined Togather as chief commercial officer.

Image: © Espey Photography

Winning business

North Tyneside Council has appointed Acorn Events to provide a stage for Mouth of Tyne Festival 2026.

British Council requires event management services for WOW, the Women of the World Festival in Pakistan. Email Moiz.khalid@ britishcouncil.org.pk by 6.59pm on December 10.

Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh Napier University require AV services for their graduation ceremonies at City of Edinburgh Council’s Usher Hall. Email Chang Wang-Smith –C.Wang-Smith@napier.ac.uk – the deadline is December 8.

Harrier has won the contract to provide event safety services for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow!

Bedford Borough Council has contracted McKenzie Arnold to provide security for Bedford River Festivals until 2030.

Ogma Safety has been appointed by Derry City and Strabane District Council to provide security and crowd management services for festivals and events until 2028.

Freemans Event Partners has secured a multi-year agreement with experiential events specialist RG Live to deliver food and beverage across its nationwide Halloween and Christmas light trails. The partnership covers 13 venues across the UK, with ten sites operating Christmas trails and six operating Halloween events.

Historic Royal Palaces has appointed Cirque Bijou to produce The Big Bahooey Festival from 2026 until 2028.

North Yorkshire Council is looking to establish a framework agreement with a portable toilet supplier for Scarborough Open Air Theatre, and other outdoor events. The deadline is 12pm on December 5. Email procurement@northyorks.gov.uk

Business Growth West Midlands has awarded a contract to Ice Blue Marketing to support the successful delivery of the West Midlands Business Festival 2026

Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre requires event services for a summer showcase event. The deadline is 5pm on December 12. Email marketing@qeiicentre.london

HALLOWEEN AT BLENHEIM PALACE

Image: © Geraint Lewis

Still the place to do business

If

you missed Event Buyers Live 2025, check out our gallery and discover why the industry event is a hit with so many event professionals

After another busy summer season, returning to Event Buyers Live (EBL) was a perfect way to bookend 2025 and commence 2026,” explained Adam Fellows, operations manager at NW Live. Fellows is talking to StandOut about his recent experience at EBL, the hosted buyer event which facilitates pre-arranged meetings between event organisers and suppliers.

He used EBL25 to meet new suppliers, make new contacts, and have open discussions with other event professionals about the challenges that everyone has faced this year. And he was not alone in his praise for the event that’s comprised of productive business meetings, friendly networking, and insightful content.

In fact, Joshua Carr, event manager at Cuffe and Taylor, told StandOut that the entire event has changed his outlook on networking and given him more confidence to approach suppliers in the future.

“This is music to my ears and really heart-warming to hear,” said Neil Fagg, co-founder of EBL, which was held earlier this month (November 10-12). “Our team spend so much time supporting our guests so they feel welcomed and comfortable that receiving feedback like this makes the hard work so worthwhile.”

Fagg continued: “Thanks to the time we spend pre-event, trying to understand everyone’s needs, we know that not everyone feels comfortable networking. Some people are daunted walking into a room full of people, who seem like the most confident

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GENUINE CARE

Like Carr, Tristan Batley-Kyle, operations director at Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, attended EBL for the first time. He said: “It was my first EBL and I thoroughly enjoyed the three days. It allowed me to meet industry colleagues as well as suppliers, which made for a great mix of discussion and reflection. I would definitely recommend the event to anyone else who is thinking of attending.”

Mia Barrett, project manager at Method Events, concurred and also echoed Fagg’s point. She said: “I think the EBL team are all such lovely people, and it is clear they all work so hard to make the event as welcoming to everyone as is humanly possible. They have a

genuine care for all attendees which is a huge part of what makes the entire experience so enjoyable for everyone involved.

“We had such a great experience,” Barrett continued. “It’s so much fun, having proper time to nurture relationships that you rely on throughout the year, and it’s the best format for actual networking and exploring new and exciting opportunities within the industry.”

WELCOMING AND WORTHWHILE

Focused, purposeful, constructive, welcoming, fun, and worthwhile were just some of the words used by other event professionals to describe their experience at this year’s event, which once again returned to the beautiful surroundings of Carden Park Hotel, Cheshire.

EBL welcomed more than 220 event professionals and provided all attendees with a platform to have candid conversations about project requirements and procurement.

Plus, there were lots of opportunities to take part in comprehensive but relaxed content sessions that enabled people to openly share their recent event experiences.

Kelly Walker, events director at TR Global Events, agreed. She said that EBL continues to “impress” with content sessions and roundtables that are “consistently” strong, offering insights on topics “rarely covered at similar events”.

DELIVERS REAL VALUE

EBL25 consisted of more than 540 prearranged supplier meetings, 22 content sessions, one Fireside Chat, three NetWalks, more networking than you could imagine, and a hilarious live auction that helped EBL to raise £10,000 for the British Heart Foundation. Claire McDowall, events, culture and tourism manager at City of Lincoln Council, visited EBL for the first time and admitted

EVENT BUYERS LIVE

that it exceeded her expectations. Whilst Clare Goodchild, director of We Organise Chaos, and EBL ambassador, described the event as focused, well considered, educational and conducive to good networking. She commented: “EBL delivers every year without fail.”

Jack Saward, managing director of Saward Marketing and Events, agreed. He said of his EBL experience: “Time is precious, and stepping away from the desk or a client’s live project isn’t always easy to justify. But Event Buyers Live is one of those events that always delivers real value, both in the people you meet and the conversations you have. It’s an environment that encourages genuine connection and often inspires future collaborations. For me personally, and for Saward Marketing and Events, it’s a few days that always feel worth the investment.”

Similarly, Imperial College Union’s Roberto Sorrentino, events manager, and Kat Iliopoulou, head of commercial services, concurred: “This was the first Event Buyers Live we attended and it has been one of the best industry events we have ever joined! There was a good selection of suppliers in a great setting that enabled meaningful and productive conversations and there was a wide variety of hosted buyers, which made all networking opportunities very valuable.”

NUMBER ONE EVENT

Stuart Cole, managing director of Wise Parking, was just one of the many suppliers, who supported the event. He commented: “I’d heard tales of EBL, but to experience it was a delight. Once the meetings started and we got chatting with so many wonderful people, it was the best two days of the year for me personally, and for us as a business. It

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is easy to see why it is the number one event of the year.”

Morgan Denton, director at RedBox Events, concurred with Cole. Denton, a big advocate of EBL, had this to say: “EBL is without doubt the best single piece of marketing we do! What’s not to love, 200+ vetted and curated event professionals with budget and open to our services locked in a hotel for two days with us. Let’s keep this our little secret, shall we.”

Ivan Mariacher, director of Trojan Security, who returned to EBL for a second year, also had an “exceptional experience”. He said: “Event Buyers Live 2025 truly delivered on its promise to connect key players across the events industry. The blend of structured meetings, open networking, and insightful discussions created a professional yet relaxed environment that encouraged genuine collaboration. For Trojan Security, it was a fantastic opportunity to engage with organisers and buyers who share our commitment to safety, innovation, and service excellence. Every conversation was purposeful, and the quality of attendees made the event stand out as one of the most valuable networking forums in the sector. I left with fresh perspectives, strong new partnerships, and a renewed sense of motivation for the year ahead. EBL is, without question, a must-attend for anyone serious about driving quality and professionalism within the events industry.”

UNMISSABLE

Events professionals from UEFA EURO 2028 UK and Ireland, Far and Beyond, LS Events, Boomtown, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, RunThrough, Stable Events, ASO

UK, Imagination, Live Nation, RG Live, TFI Lodestar, Gemfest, The Great Run Company, Boardmasters, Y Not Festival, Lawn Tennis Association, and The Fair attended the respected event.

Stephen Bailey, event co-ordinator at Bolton Council, hailed the event as excellent and believed it was focused to the industry’s needs with all the right people in the room to do business with.

In fact, Catherine Bishop, head of operations at Stable Events, described EBL as “unmissable”.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to plan for the year ahead and connect with contractors you rarely get the chance to meet face-to-face,” she explained.

THANK YOU

“EBL25 provided a safe and comfortable environment for our guests to have so many conversations about how they navigated the challenges of 2025 and how they plan to make their events better for 2026,” Fagg explained further. “We know that everyone within the events industry is talking about how they can enhance their customers’ experiences, and we know that because of the thoughtful conversations that were taking place this year.

“It’s because of our guests’ willingness to share their experiences and be open about what they want and need that have helped transform EBL into what it is today.”

Fagg continued: “When we first launched EBL, one of our guests called it ‘the place to do business’ and for a long time it really was that. But now it’s so much more. It’s the place to network, it’s the place to exchange experiences, and it’s the place to plan and to

listen. More importantly, it’s the place where you can be yourself, surrounded by absolute event legends.”

Chris Price, event director of The Boat Race, agreed. He said: “Event Buyers Live is a unique event that creates a seamless platform for event organisers and suppliers to discuss new ideas, new business, and have meaningful conversations in both formal and social settings. It’s 100 per cent worthwhile and I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of attending.”

Fagg concluded: “EBL was born out of a love for our amazing industry. This year was EBL’s 11th outing. Last year, we celebrated our tenth edition with a big celebration but this year, our focus was to make sure anyone and everyone was welcomed to the event with open arms. The industry has had a tough year, so we wanted everyone to feel like we cared. Personally, I think we achieved that but like every event, there are lessons to learn. Now, we have already turned our attention to EBL26 and we are making a few tweaks to the event so that next year’s event delivers on yet another level.

“Finally, I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone that attended and supported our team, and who made it so special. From our speakers, our ambassadors, and our event partners, everyone played their part and delivered an amazing showcase for our amazing industry. Here’s to moving forward and 2026!”

Special thanks to Swift MRP, Endigo Event Communications, Hire Frequencies, Carden Park, Tysers Live, Style Branding, Delegate Select, AIF, NOQ, onboard.earth, We Are Plaster, and British Heart Foundation.

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Securing the future of sport

UK Sport’s Esther Britten on the creation of a new not-for-profit company that hopes to support the delivery of major sporting events

As head of events and external affairs at UK Sport, Esther Britten knows a thing or two about large-scale sporting events. It’s a role she has enjoyed for more than 14 years but now her remit is set to get bigger.

This September, it was revealed that Britten would be an “observer” on the board of UKEL, a new not-for-profit events company that aims to support National Governing Bodies to bid for and host major events.

UK Sport established UKEL to support the UK’s ability to secure and deliver global events. Already its creation is causing excitement.

STAYING ON TRACK

Grand Départ GB 2027 – a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and joint venture between British Cycling and UKEL – will maintain oversight of the delivery of the Grand Départ of both the 2027 Tour De France and Tour De France Femmes avec Zwift. Both events will take place in the UK and it will be the first time both races have been staged in the same country outside of France.

Grand Départ GB 2027 is the first event to be delivered through UKEL, thanks to significant public funding. So how will Britten support the board and ensure the 2027 cycling events stay on track?

“Basically, I don’t get involved,” explains Britten. “But in these types of roles, I am often asked, ‘What do you think would happen if we made this decision?’ It’s about reminding people that if you do X then clause 25 of a funding agreement says you’re up the swanny.”

RESOURCES

Britten is all over the detail and whilst the cycling events will not touch our shores

until July 2027, already conversations are being had with 23 local authorities that will host hundreds of professional cyclists and thousands of dedicated spectators.

“At UK Sport, our main function is to make sure there’s an ongoing drumbeat of big sporting events being hosted in the UK,” Britten says. “But what we were finding with those bid for events is that sometimes we would get to a point where we’d pretty much won the bid, got the money sorted, had a balanced budget, and made an investment decision, but we couldn’t get anybody to be the organisation to run the event.”

Previously, local authorities would have taken any grant funding, created a department within the events team or in a corner of the sports department, and run the event. But those organisations are simply not around anymore or do not have the resources to run as effectively as UK Sport would hope.

PUBLIC MONEY AND PRIVATE STRUCTURE

Earlier this year, UK Sport conducted some research. It concluded that some of the issues stopping UK cities from hosting big sporting events could be resolved with the creation of an event delivery organisation – UKEL.

UK Sport is “technically speaking” a B shareholder and is there just in case the company has any kind of financial failure or if, for example, it feels there’s too much conflict of interest.

Grand Départ GB 2027 is the first event to be delivered under this new business model. Both events – 2027 Tour De France and Tour De France Femmes avec Zwift – have a

ESTHER BRITTEN (she/her)

“significant level” of public money invested in them but the delivery has more of a private structure.

OPPORTUNITIES

Currently Britten is supporting the UKEL board as it finalises its business plan and confirms the start and finish locations of the cycling events’ respective stages. She expects details of tender opportunities to be published from January to March and hopes that the move will encourage councils to become excited again about the prospect of hosting large-scale sporting events.

Britten continues: “The reactions from some of the cities has really surprised us. Particularly, some of the cities that more regularly host events. They have said, ‘We’ve been crying out for something like this’ and so they are delighted to hear the news about Grand Départ and UKEL.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Britten describes the UK sporting landscape in a positive light because when high-profile sporting events and major tournaments are hosted in the UK, the great British public do turn out to support them.

But Britten does have one concern. “At the moment, we actually don’t have a programme out as far as we would usually do, and that’s because it’s been challenging to get Government funding.

“We are bidding for the World Athletics Championships in 2029 and we do have a confirmed funding package for that, but we will be putting some serious focus on what the 2030s look like for the sports events industry,” Britten concludes.

•

Revved up

In August, Chris Evans revealed that CarFest is moving to Silverstone. Here, Anjna Raheja, festival director, and Neil Levene, festival producer, discuss CarFest’s next chapter

t’s an absolute baltic day when StandOut meets the CarFest team at Silverstone. Neil Levene, festival producer, is happily driving StandOut around in a van, showing the team all the sights. The circuit is vast but we have a site map and thankfully, Levene has got to grips (almost) with finding his way around the home of British motorsport.

It’s a great achievement because just 12 weeks ago, Levene had only just found out that the UK’s biggest children’s charity and family-friendly fundraising festival would take place at Silverstone in 2026.

“It all happened very quickly,” explains Levene. “We all found out on the Saturday before CarFest 2025, we told the team on the Sunday and on the Monday (August 18) Chris announced the move on the radio. The following weekend, we opened the gates to CarFest at Laverstoke Park Farm (Hampshire) for the last time.”

FANTASTIC MOVE

StandOut is looking at a site map. And to be fair, it all seems pretty sorted. Levene and Anjna Raheja, festival director, laugh. They have already lost track of which version of the site map they are on. The plans have changed since last week, they say. Especially as significant interest from brands and sponsors continues to build, influencing what happens next.

“The response to the move has been fantastic,” says Raheja. “Not just from visitors but from sponsors, exhibitors, and car manufacturers.”

Levene concurs: “Everyone thinks it’s a great idea and it gives us an opportunity to raise more money for charity.”

NEW CUSTODIAN

The move follows more than a decade of growth at Laverstoke Park Farm, where

CarFest became a cherished part of the summer for thousands of families. That spirit will remain at the heart of the festival with the same founder, the same mission, the same atmosphere; but now with the space, facilities, and location to welcome more visitors, make the experience even more comfortable, and increase the amounts raised for children’s charities.

Evans, founder of CarFest, has granted Silverstone a three-year licence agreement to deliver CarFest and essentially, Silverstone will be the festival’s new custodian. Stuart Pringle, Silverstone’s CEO, describes CarFest as the “perfect fit” for the venue and hopes to deliver an even bigger and better event.

Levene and Raheja are acting as consultants, delivering CarFest with an ops, sales, and marketing team that is now employed by Silverstone directly. Plus, there’s a wider aspiration to create a

Silverstone Foundation that will bolster the festival’s charitable aims even further. But more on that another time…

SPECIAL ATMOSPHERE

So, what plans do Levene and Raheja have for the Silverstone site? And will CarFest at Silverstone be vastly different to the CarFest that customers have come to know and love?

“We’re being very careful,” Levene adds, acknowledging the huge love that CarFest’s loyal audience has for the brand. “CarFest has a special atmosphere, a special audience, a family audience, so we’re not trying to grow the festival so that people don’t recognise it. We’ve just got a bit more space.

“We’re also being careful not to try and use too much of the circuit. If we spread that audience too thinly, we’d lose that special atmosphere. We want people to be stood in

L TO R LISA KNIPE (she/her), NEIL LEVENE (he/him), FERGUS FARRAGHER (he/him), LAURA BALL (she/her), GEORGI WOOD (she/her), AND ANJNA RAHEJA (she/her)

front of the stage and still enjoy everything, and just have an amazing view whichever way they look.”

SPEED AND NOISE

No sooner had CarFest 2025 closed its gates, Levene and the CarFest team jumped in a car and headed to Silverstone. They started plotting CarFest 2026 straightaway. They drove around the site to get their bearings. But then they had to get a feel for the site and the only way they could do that was by walking the circuit.

“You can drive the site but you don’t see it,” he continues. “You have to walk it as if you are the customer. So if I’m walking from here to here, what does that feel like? What is my view at this point? If I’m looking that way, how’s that going to be? One of the hardest things has been working out how the customers are going to enjoy the track because it’s a very different track to Laverstoke. At Silverstone, the cars can go so much faster and so there’ll be much more speed and noise.”

HEART AND SOUL

Yet, CarFest is so much more than cars. CarFest is comprised of seven festivals, including StarFest, RetroFest, KidsFest, FoodFest, and SpaFest, which when combined with lots of on-track action and music provide ticketholders with great variety and balance. In fact, whilst the team is excited to have the use of Silverstone’s famous international circuit, track action will be limited so it does not overwhelm the crowd.

The idea is, says Raheja, if you have 30 minutes of loud cars, you will then have 45 minutes of downtime, to look at or listen to something or someone else.

“We’re happy,” Levene says. “We’ve got a good layout, a good proportion of track content, normal content, we’re balancing the noise, because as you can hear, there are cars going around the track now, and it’s noisy. Yes, there’ll be more track action than there was at Laverstoke but we’re having to think about different content.”

He adds: “We don’t want to create an event that feels alien to anybody, and that’s the challenge. Our mission is to deliver that CarFest experience that people love. We’re not trying to change CarFest because it was not broken. We’re just trying to make sure that people can get around and that the customer experience is great.”

According to Raheja, it’s all about that balance; embracing the venue and what the venue has to offer but making sure that the team keep the very best bits. But the most important thing about CarFest, she says, is the heart and soul.

“When we do our post-event survey, you get feedback and the words that people use to describe CarFest – safe, relaxed, joyous, happy memories, those unprompted words – we need to maintain them,” she explains. “Those words come up every year, and so if we can create some fresh, new content, but keep the best bits of everything that people love, we’ll have done a good job.”

BUDGETS

One of the first things that Evans said to Raheja, after one of the initial site visits, was, “Can you make it [CarFest] look beautiful?”

Raheja explains: “I told Chris we could because there’s more green space here than you think, so with the right atmosphere and the right level of content, CarFest will look amazing. It won’t be cheap, but we can do it.”

Which leads us on nicely to budgets. What impact will moving from a greenfield site to an established venue have on procurement? Will CarFest need to contract new suppliers?

“There’s ups and downs,” Levene says, smiling. “It means, hopefully, that more money can be spent on fun things than practical things, for sure. But then, I think where we will save money on one area, we’ll be spending in another. Especially things like look and feel and signage.

“We’re putting on an FMX bike show and a drift show that will keep people entertained for 30 minutes at a time. We’ve never done that before, so that’s an investment and we’ve never

done a grid walk before, so that’s going to take some budget to make that properly work.”

ENDORSEMENT

As we warm ourselves up back in the office, with a cup of Yorkshire Tea, the team is getting ready to unveil some of next year’s line-up and tickets will be on sale very soon. They needn’t worry though as exclusive [privately registered] early bird ticket sales exceeded expectations. In fact, Raheja beams when she reveals that CarFest sold 50 per cent more early bird tickets for 2026 compared to last year. It’s an endorsement from the crowd that was hoped for but slightly unexpected.

“It reassures us that we’ve made the right move,” says Raheja. “The audience are coming with us and once we start telling people about it, who aren’t CarFest-ers, then that will help.”

So what’s next? And what do the next few months look like?

“We’ve got lots of talent to announce, our content teams are getting stuck into shaping and building features, and after we go on sale next week, we’ll go out with another announcement – probably in February – postJanuary payday,” explains Raheja. “And we’ll continue to build, build, build.”

PARKING IDEAS

But what’s going to stand out about CarFest 2026? “Speed and noise,” Levene concludes. “The thrill of the noise and sound here is quite something. And I think that’s going to be something that people will love but cars will not be the only reason to come.”

Already, the CarFest team has plans for 2027 but some ideas have been parked. For now. Levene admits that if he had shown StandOut a site plan six weeks ago, we would have been looking at a very different beast. The event was “trying to use way too much land” so plans have been stripped back and for now, the plan is to concentrate on delivering CarFest on a new site and “prove to everyone it’s still the thing they love”.

CarFest will take place at Silverstone from August 27-30, 2026.

Safe and secure

A raft of new guidance is set to be published that will change how you think about event security. Event professionals discuss the importance of choosing the right security services for your event and honest and open communication

No savvy events professional needs this magazine to tell you how important security is to your event or festival. We all know it’s fundamental. But perhaps you might wish to know how a plethora of legislative and policy changes over the next 12 months are going to impact your security plans, and consequently, how much you might have to spend on them to operate a safe event.

Currently, there is a lot of high level Government discussion around Special Policing Services (SPS) and new guidance is being written that industry insiders say could see Police charging more for their presence. Furthermore, new guidance on safety advisory groups (SAGs) is also expected to be released, which could also have a huge impact on event management and security planning.

Anne Marie Chebib, secretary of the United Kingdom Crowd Management Association, believes that these two new pieces of guidance will be integral to security but important to organisers on the whole. Therefore, open and honest comms will be imperative if we want all event organisers and suppliers to succeed and thrive.

GET TALKING

In the next few months, the Government is expected to unveil greater detail relating to Martyn’s Law, which received Royal Assent in April. Much work is being done behind the scenes to publish the right guidance as quickly as possible.

It’s believed that there will be two parts to the guidance – one part from the Home Office and one part from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Inevitably, this will have big implications for event organisers. Yet at the same time, organisers should not panic or assume new rules will cost lots of money.

“My big advice to organisers is to start talking to your security companies early,” explains Chebib. “Get them booked in. If you have a counter terrorism specialist, engage that person early. But also if you’re a smaller event, please whatever you do, don’t be spending a tonne of money on Martyn’s Law. My big message to everybody at the moment is to hold fire but get your ducks in a row with the free advice that’s out there.”

For instance, the Home Office has produced a one-page leaflet explaining The

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, more commonly known as Martyn’s Law. And it includes a helpful myth buster, which addresses misconceptions about the act. Plus, there are many other useful things you can do to prepare your team for upcoming changes.

Chebib continues: “Make sure your staff have ACT training and read the free advice on the ProtectUK website. Prepare yourself with existing information and don’t think about counter terrorism as something different to everything else that you’re doing for your event already.”

VALUABLE ASSETS

Many organisers are being proactive. They are looking at Martyn’s Law and learning more about Zone X, but it’s important to remember that this summer was not without its security challenges. Crowds rushed the gates at Originals Festival and the right to protest has continued to impact live event sites.

Even if a protest is not happening on your own event site, or there’s an incident outside of your event footprint, the impact on your event can be huge. This is why it’s imperative

to choose the right event security contractor to work with and choose the right security services and solutions for your demographic, too. Furthermore, it’s also important that you don’t just focus on Martyn’s Law because there are many other things that could also prove to be a security challenge.

Sam Noble, managing director of Manchett Security, believes that event organisers need to consider event security as more than just a line of cost on a spreadsheet. For example, professionals, such as behaviour detection officers (BDOs) and dog handlers do come at a cost, but with new laws coming into effect and a greater awareness of harm reduction and welfare, they should be seen as a valuable asset, he said.

Thomas Stead, founder of X2 Consult, concurred. He advocates the use of BDOs –undercover professionals who have the ability to analyse crowd behaviour. BDOs are trained to identify “expected” behaviour, monitor crowds/situations, and observe how an individual interacts with a crowd/audience. If necessary, they can guide event security to an incident that falls below an agreed “baseline” before blending back into a crowd.

CO-ORDINATED APPROACH

According to Stead, more and more companies are using BDOs as an additional security measure, specifically safeguarding children and vulnerable people at large-scale events and festivals.

Stead explained: “The biggest area where we have found issues recently, is when there’s a little bit of a crowd surge or a push in front of the pit barrier. People’s hands just go everywhere and anywhere, and then a lot of people think nothing inappropriate has happened and go, ‘Oh, I think it’s just where I was being pushed’, where in reality that’s not the case.”

He continued: “If we want to interact with a specific individual, we will ask security to engage with that person so they are unaware that BDOs are working. Basically, it’s covert safeguarding but more and more events are asking for such services.

“This year, we’ve caught 19 people and had them arrested and moved away, predominantly

just to do with children and vulnerable people. What we find is that it’s starting to be specific events that these particular individuals will target, and they use certain apps to communicate with each other, so this inappropriate behaviour is coordinated.”

COST AND SERVICE

Event security professionals have a growing remit. The incidents and scenarios they must now face are increasing and with the introduction of Martyn’s Law, event security will be under an even brighter spotlight. Understandably, organisers will closely examine event security measures, and research which suppliers they will work with even more.

“I think the key for anyone who is looking for event security is to engage in proper conversations,” commented Noble. “Don’t just send an email asking, ‘Can you price my schedule?’ and leave it at that. Take the time out to speak to a security company, understand who they are, who they are as

a brand, and speak to their clients. Anyone that’s got good clients and a good reputation will give contact details for referencing, and there’ll be able to show pictures and videos. It’s very easy to send an email and ask someone for a price but you need to know how that price is built up.

“As a supplier, it’s frustrating for us to get a schedule and be asked to put our rates alongside something.

“I want to know what an organiser has faced in the past and why they are looking to change supplier. Generally, everyone’s looking to change for a reason because if someone is being charged £25 an hour and they were happy and getting a good service then they wouldn’t be sitting down in front of someone else asking for a price.

“Security is all about a level of service and the experience you’ve got because of the things you’ve learned, so if you are looking to change supplier, you have to have open communication,” Noble concluded.

Pod master

Podcasts are building loyal communities and turning them into live audiences. On In Five’s Adam Conway shines a light on why podcast tours are the next big thing

ADAM CONWAY (he/him)

BEHIND THE SCENES

Live podcast shows have come a long way since COVID when two chairs and some props on stage would cut it. Now, major TikTok stars and influencers are announcing arena-sized tours with full-scale production that any band would kill for.

Help I Sexted my Boss – a podcast hosted by etiquette expert William Hanson and radio presenter Jordan North – recently announced details of an arena tour. The self-titled “unlikely friends” have taken the live podcast concept to another level and use their show to connect with their audience and experiment with new ideas in a live environment.

“A live podcast show is an opportunity to gain new listeners,” says Adam Conway, managing director of On In Five Production. “A lot of people who come to live podcast shows are often asked, ‘Who’s watching us and hearing us for the first time?’ A lot of hands go up, and those people are then instantly transformed into a regular listener.”

Conway has worked in the events industry since he was 17. He honed his production skills at Mama Group and Live Nation. At first, he wanted to work in production but was “upset” when Mama Group’s Dave McCalmont placed him in the creative production team.

“I was upset at first, but it was totally the right move,” Conway explains. “Without that experience, On In Five probably wouldn’t be what it is, because a big part of what we do is managing the logistics and the technicalities of podcast tours, but we also design.”

SPOTTED A GAP

Conway founded On In Five just over five years ago as a creative production house servicing the podcast, YouTuber, and social artist touring markets.

Conway continues: “I was repping shows for Charlie XCX and Little Simz when I was asked by a promoter to rep Help I Sexted My Boss. At first, I didn’t have a clue what was going

on. Coming from music, I couldn’t fathom it but then I saw more and more podcast tours coming through and realised there wasn’t anyone servicing them in the same way we’re used to seeing in live music. I thought, ‘Hang on a minute, there’s something in this’.

“I was a rep but I was helping with microphone technique blocking on stage and guiding the house lighting designers. There was just nobody there to lend a hand so I spotted the gap, and On In Five Production became a thing.”

PROFITABILITY

“If there was nothing in the market to compare On In Five to, would you say you have carved a standard in the market?”

StandOut asks. “Or have the things you’ve learned in music simply made their way into the podcast tours you’re producing?”

Conway explains: “Honestly, I think it’s a combination of both. I know that might

sound like a bit of a cop out answer, but if I hadn’t have had the experience in music where I’m used to other people and other productions and artists operating at a certain standard, both for themselves and for the audience experience, then it might have been different.

“People tour because it’s profitable and at the end of the day, you wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t. For music, with things like streaming and illegal downloads and all that kind of stuff, they used to sell an album, then go on tour and promote it, and you’d make your money in the album. But they don’t anymore.

“There is a lot of money in podcasts already, the live tours are profitable, but it almost seems insignificant in comparison to the podcast’s ‘album sales’, so to speak. Instead, touring is all about positioning and audience experience. A lot of touring music artists rely on touring – at a certain level –to bring in income. With podcasts, it’s so

socially driven, it’s online, and brands want to be involved.”

SOMETHING MORE

Conway and his team have built On In Five into a successful business and are now working with several high-profile podcast tours, including Saving Grace, Bach and Arthur, Help I Sexted My Boss, and Bad Friends with Bobby Lee and Andrew Santino. For example, for Bad Friends, On In Five –which loves to work with Lumen Productions and Total Control Sound – designed the stage and recreated the podcast’s studio in a live environment. However, how an audience consumes a podcast in a live setting is very different compared to them listening to it in the car, for instance. So how does that translate?

“The one thing that all the producers, performers, artists, and hosts do really well is they understand that the live show

has to not be something else, but something more. Because the opportunity’s there to close that space between the show and the audience, because it’s one thing to listen to a podcast online, but when you’re in the room, there’s a big opportunity to make a show a full on experience.”

Conway adds: “A big part of what we do is help the hosts with their ideas and help them experiment. And the fun thing for us is how we materialise that in the production, in the limitations of the space, regardless of venue size. At the start, people came to us with ideas and stuff but now they understand that live is different to recording.”

He continues: “What a live tour lets them [a podcast host] do is position themselves in the market. It’s also an opportunity to test new formats and the personality has a bit more freedom in terms of what they can do with the show. The podcasts themselves understand the value in not just what the show is, but what the show looks like. At the end of the day, it is about audience experience and I don’t really see it slowing down. Some people think podcasts had their day in COVID, but from someone inside that market, it literally couldn’t be further from the truth.”

BIGGER BEAST

According to Spotify, podcast fans are craving interaction. In fact, 73 per cent of Spotify listeners say they are interested in finding more opportunities to interact with their favourite podcast hosts. This is why live podcast shows are growing in popularity. Creators wish to build a strong community full of invested listeners and viewers.

Likewise, Edison Research’s UK Podcast Consumer 2024 report says that podcasts have firmly established themselves as a leading media platform in the UK, captivating an increasingly large audience. Even Ofcom confirms their popularity. Its Media Nations research states that just over 20 per cent of UK adults now listen to at least one podcast a week – that’s 11.7 million people.

Conway says that there are more than one billion monthly podcast viewers. This demonstrates that the video format is growing, globally. Video leads over audio, which bodes well for the live space.

“People want to see and feel connected to the show, and the live space allows them to do that,” Conway comments. “It’s just so interesting to see a new market – and it is a new arm to the live industry – grow and to be a part of it is amazing and exciting.

“I think you’ll find more musical artists launching podcasts but growing their music community. I also think that there are a lot of podcasts but very few get the opportunity to cut through. But I think you’ll find there’ll be a lot more coming to the front, because everybody niches down, and that’s the important part about a podcast. You niche down, you find your community, you grow that community and I think it will boom the live market and you’ll see podcast tours become these bigger beasts,” Conway concludes.

On the menu

Great food and drink should be part of your event line-up. Here, organisers and food and drink experts discuss best practices and big F&B trends

hen you launch an event, year one is always fun. Whilst everything looks amazing on paper, until customers fill your event footprint, you never know how they will use the site or react to the plans that have been in your head for months.

As StandOut writes, Proud Events is once again preparing to open the doors to Christmas in Chelsea, a 1.5 kilometre festive trail that launched in 2024. It was the event production specialist’s first foray as event organiser/owner and as you’d expect, the organising team learned lots in year one. Especially about food and drink (F&B).

Harry Feigan, managing director at Proud Events, explains: “Last year, we learned that not only the F&B experience needed to be more holistic in the way that it was viewed, but we needed to make sure that the offering was right in terms of traders.

We needed different levels of offer, so everything from entry level to premium, and even corporate hospitality.”

Feigan continues: “But that’s not one of the key areas that the Proud team focuses on so this year, we’ve brought Peppermint Bars and Events into the event as a key partner.”

According to Feigan, Peppermint felt like the perfect match for the trail.

“We wanted Christmas in Chelsea to have a premium element because of the area that we’re based in, but also to make this a new destination for people who live in London, for your Christmas parties, and for people who want premium F&B in a beautiful setting,” Feigan adds.

“What we discovered last year is that it’s really important to not just think about the offer in one area. You have to think about the F&B experience from the point a customer

arrives at the event, at the start of the trail, throughout the trail, and at the end point. Those different points of the experience need different things and that was something that we cottoned on to. What Peppermint have really brought to the table is they’ve looked at the event in all aspects and created an F&B experience that matches each area so we’re excited to see how it goes.”

STICKY ENVIRONMENTS

Peppermint Bars and Events is delivering all of the F&B within Christmas in Chelsea’s winter village, including craft markets. But Peppermint has also partnered with The Curling Club to bring some “competitive socialising” to the event.

Adam Hempenstall, co-founder of Peppermint, says that adding such an activity increases dwell time; it creates a

“sticky environment”. He explains: “We’re working very closely with promoters and clients, creating reasons for people to stick around. You know, do stuff that’s not just grabbing a slice of pizza, running back into the crowd, or grabbing a drink on the fly. We want to create more integrated F&B environments because at the end of the day, whether it’s at a music festival, a winter light trail, or a winter wonderland, people want to be able to just take five, sit down, and actually enjoy those experiences. And let’s be honest, commercially, if you give people the opportunity to do that, they are going to spend more.”

REMOVE FRICTION

Currently, Peppermint is providing F&B services to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, where it has developed new F&B offers for IMG, including a food hall especially for children. And the company has had a busy season, too, delivering bars and catering at BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Live at The Piece Hall, and American Express presents BST Hyde Park.

“Every event is different and every event has different priorities when it comes to F&B,” Hempenstall adds. “Organisers are very keen

FORWARDS FESTIVAL

to remove friction where possible and when I say friction, I mean queuing. Customers don’t want to go to five different locations to get five different things.

“People that spend time queuing or rotating around the site to get what they want means that they’re spending less time enjoying the show, spending less money on merch, and spending less time immersing themselves in the music. So I think you have to make F&B an integral part of an event so you can sell tickets the following year.”

REDUCE QUEUES AND INCREASE REVENUE

Festivals are all about music, atmosphere and making memories. But behind the scenes, organisers face huge challenges to deliver seamless operations for thousands of fans. One of the biggest? Keeping bar service fast, efficient, and enjoyable.

This year, Louder’s On the Beach called on Boxbar to deploy three new automated selfserve container bars. Louder wished to target higher sales and smoother operations and it did just that, reporting a 56 per cent increase in self-serve bar revenue compared to 2024. Similarly, AGN Events, organiser of Rock N Roll Circus, has worked with Boxbar for

three years and has seen self-serve revenue increase by 272 per cent.

Ali O’Reilly, co-founder of AGN Events and Rock N Roll Circus, explains: “Working with Boxbar has made a real difference to how we run our bars at Rock N Roll Circus. Bar queues, especially during peak service hours, are a major challenge for all festival organisers, but the self-serve setup has helped significantly reduce waiting times, improve service, and increase revenues year on year.”

NUTRITIOUS FOOD

Essentially, it’s imperative to drive customer experience to a new realm and have F&B as part of the line-up, not the support act, Hempenstall says.

Feigan concurs. As well as organising Christmas in Chelsea, Proud Events is also responsible for delivering Bristol Harbour Festival, which has changed its F&B offer to ensure visitors have access to more sustainable food and more nutritious food.

In 2023, Bristol City Council’s events team asked Proud Events to prioritise traders – wishing to take part in Bristol Harbour Festival – who had a Bristol Eating Better Award (BEBA) or the Soil Association’s Organic Served Here accreditation. This

FIELD AND FEAST

Image: © Khali Photography

change not only placed sustainability at the heart of the event but also shone a spotlight on nutritious, healthy food and quality F&B that would appeal to different audiences.

CERTIFIED TRADERS

In 2024, Proud Events delivered Bristol Harbour Festival for the first time and significantly increased the number of accredited traders at the family-friendly event. Certified traders rose from five per cent in 2023 to 30 per cent in 2024 and 2025. Work is already underway for 2026 with several new traders aiming to return with certification in hand because it is Bristol Harbour Festival’s ambition to have 100 per cent certified food traders by 2030.

Similarly, Team Love, which organises Bristol’s Forwards Festival, is also asking its traders to be more sustainable. As sustainability manager, it’s Charlotte Jackson’s responsibility to work with traders and to ensure that Team Love’s food and drink offer reflects the diversity of the audience coming to the festival.

She says: “Food and drink is currently responsible for 20 per cent of our event emissions, which is a sizable chunk. My job is to take that really seriously and commit

CHRISTMAS IN CHELSEA

BRISTOL HARBOUR FESTIVAL

BARS AND CATERING

to take action to reduce that. Part of that is increasing the provision of low carbon and plant-based meals and making sure meals are ethically-sourced.”

INCLUSIVE

This year, Team Love worked hard to ensure traders at Forwards had all the right certifications for their serveware so it could be composted. This move reduced general festival waste by two tonnes. Now, as Team Love moves into 2026, traders are being asked about whether they are Living Wage Employers and whether they have inclusion statements. If they don’t, Team Love is looking to help traders deepen their commitment to wider sustainability policies, including more inclusive food and drink options.

DIETARY NEEDS

In 2025, 20 per cent of traders at Forwards were exclusively veggie and vegan but now Jackson and her team are looking to increase the number of food vendors at Forwards that serve allergen-free meals.

This follows research by the University of West England (UWE Bristol) which found that individuals with dietary requirements are choosing not to attend outdoor events because of the risks they associate with the experience, such as not being able to purchase food they can eat, the potential for cross-contamination, and being stigmatised when trying to purchase food.

The research – funded by the Association for Events Management Education and conducted by Clare MacKay, senior lecturer in events management, and Dr Ed Little, senior lecturer in marketing at UWE Bristol – found that more than half (53 per cent) of respondents had opted not to attend an event at least once for reasons relating to their dietary needs, with 49 per cent having felt “sad” about this.

MacKay believes that organisers can make easy changes that would positively contribute to the wellbeing of attendees with specific dietary needs.

For example, organisers could make changes to the tender application process to encourage food vendors that cater to dietary requirements. Another recommendation is to provide site maps and zone food vendors to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and lastly, clearer communication is needed to

ensure attendees with dietary requirements feel included and valued.

Forwards has listened to the research and has tweaked its trader application form for 2026. It will ask traders about allergen-free food and drink options and hopes to collect and publish trader menus with allergen and dietary information on the Forwards website prior to the festival. Jackson says this move feels “really necessary” and it’s a massively positive step.

HEALTHY OPTIONS

Katie Packham, event director of Old Skool Bus Events, says that there is a growing trend towards more healthy food options being served at events. What’s more, an increasing number of organisers are asking for wellbalanced and nutritious crew catering and food menus with sustainable and healthy ingredients. Wayne Martin, founder and CEO of Field and Feast, which recently supplied crew catering to BludFest, Forever Now, and The Warwick Sessions, concurs with Packham. Every event stakeholder – whether that’s a customer or crew member – wants quality food and good food portions. No scrimping, and vegan options should be available as standard.

But regardless of whether you’re curating a food village, organising a themed food market, choosing sensational concessions, or thinking about comforting and healthy crew catering, great food and drink is vital to an event – it fuels the fun, it fuels the crowd, and it fuels the team. But just because you’re cooking food in a field, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t produce good food, says Martin.

ADD FLAVOUR

Jackson agrees wholeheartedly. All crew and artists catering at Forwards is vegetarian and ethically sourced. Again, it’s a growing trend as is demand for “local”.

For example, more organisers are looking to use local and hyperlocal suppliers and traders and at this year’s GALA Festival, the food line-up was made up of 50 per cent local Peckham traders, including some local cult favourite restaurants like 081 Pizza and Taquiza that had never operated at events before. Togather worked with GALA and guided the traders through logistics, setting them up

for success on the day. This was important as it meant the festival had real local flavour, which Togather believes will be a key focus next year.

But it’s not the only development within F&B. Togather says there’s a big focus on coffee and therefore, plans to up its coffee game in 2026. It has seen a big step up in demand for coffee at events, with a huge 90 per cent increase in sales of flat whites between 2023 and 2025 and 138 per cent increase in iced coffee sales from 2024 to 2025. The company attributes this in part to general hospitality but also believes that attendees are looking at events as an entire-day experience. They want high quality product from their first morning coffee through to dessert at the end of the day.

Matthew Findlay, live experience director at RG Live, agrees. He says that RG Live’s light trails, for example, are designed to captivate audiences and create lasting memories. But that creativity has to be matched with high quality food and drink in order to enhance the visitor experience.

Freemans Event Partners has recently secured a multi-year agreement with RG Live to deliver food and beverage across its nationwide Christmas light trails and Halloween trails, too and it says, it has already raised food standards. Menus include meat-free menu choices, a children’s meal at every outlet, and a “non-gluten containing ingredients choice”. Where consumers are increasingly selective with spending, demand for experienceled events remains strong. Speaking of the new multi-year contract with RG Live, Matt Luscombe, CEO of Freemans Event Partners, says: “Our focus is on delivering an experiential food and beverage offer that excites visitors, builds spend per head, and strengthens the overall profitability of these trails. RG Live has established a powerful seasonal events portfolio, and we are proud to be their long-term partner in driving growth.”

Fuelling your live event

Field and Feast details why fuelling your crew and artists with delicious food can make a huge difference to your event

Exceptional live events start with well-fed people. Whether you’re backstage at a sold-out concert, on a windswept festival site, or deep into a 12-hour shoot, Field and Feast is ready and waiting to serve great food that fuels creativity, energy, and morale.

Field and Feast specialises in premium crew and artist catering tailored to the unique demands of the entertainment industry. From sunrise call times to midnight wrap parties, the experienced team delivers delicious, nourishing meals that keep your team going.

BRINGING EXCELLENCE TO THE TABLE

• Custom menus for every appetite: Vegan? Gluten-free? High-protein? No problem. Field and Feast crafts menus that cater to every dietary need without compromising on taste or quality.

• Speed and precision: Field and Feast understands the pace of production. Its team is trained to serve quickly, cleanly, and with minimal disruption – so you stay focused and on schedule.

• Flair meets function: The food at Field and Feast doesn’t just taste great; it also looks the part. From styled buffets to beautifully boxed meals, the company brings visual appeal to every plate.

• Sustainable and local: Field and Feast sources fresh, seasonal ingredients from trusted local suppliers, supporting communities and reducing the carbon footprint of your event.

WHAT SETS

FIELD AND FEAST APART?

• Crew-first mentality: Field and Feast knows the grind. Its service is designed to support your crew with hearty, energising meals that keep spirits high.

• Artist-focused options: For your talent, Field and Feast offers elevated, health-conscious dishes that feel indulgent without being heavy. Think vibrant salads, gourmet wraps, fresh juices, and artisan snacks.

• Seamless logistics: The team handles everything – setup, service, and clean up – with professionalism and discretion. You focus on the production and Field and Feast will handle the rest.

WE WANT TO BE THE BEST

Field and Feast launched in 2024. In just 12 months, the company has gone from strength to strength and its hard work is paying off. Wayne Martin, founder and CEO of Field and Feast, explained: “We have had the most incredible launch year!

“I had the pleasure of going behind the scenes at a festival back in 2024 and it opened my eyes to another world of catering! Having an already established weddings and events company, we felt that we had the resource and ability to launch what we now know as Field and Feast.”

He continued: “I love live events, the magic, the electricity, and the joy that live events bring to people – so being able to fuel the hard-working crews and the extraordinary artists that create these incredible shows and make it all possible is a real privilege.”

MAKE YOUR NEXT EVENT DELICIOUS

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For more information, call 0330 043 5895, visit www.fieldandfeast.co.uk or email info@fieldandfeast.co.uk

BRADSHAW EVENT VEHICLES

Pitch perfect

How a small – but growing – event series is putting Chipping Sodbury on the map

t’s a sunny October day when StandOut meets the organising team behind Good Times Live. Storm Amy looms but as hardened event professionals, a bit of a breeze is no reason to not sit outside and enjoy the rays. We sip coffee and hot chocolate.

“So, tell me about the event,” StandOut asks, keen to discover the organising team’s story, expecting a short tale about a small but growing festival. But no. Who knew that the dizzy heights of Chipping Sodbury is now the home of an ambitious five-day music and comedy series that covered its losses in year two, plans to double capacity in year four, and has secured headline sponsorship from Pepsi.

GRIT

Good Times Live is the brainchild of James Murden, a small event producer by night and a QVC TV presenter by day, Tom Campbell, lighting designer and Knights of Illumination winner, and Alistair Gregson, experienced events professional and event power expert.

Together, they started Good Times Live in 2022 and back then, it was a 2,000-capacity event with top-level tribute bands. By 2024, Good Times Live had increased capacity to 3,500 and had McFly and Jools Holland

playing to local crowds. This year, the event moved to Chipping Sodbury Rugby Football Club – the “perfect greenfield site with room to expand” – and welcomed 4,999 people who watched the likes of Sister Sledge, Billy Ocean, and Craig David.

Murden takes up the story: “The three of us have lived in Chipping Sodbury for decades, and we all love the event world. We love the grit, we love the show, and the reward. But our little town has never had anything on a big scale. We decided, just before COVID, to put on something of a modest size, with tribute bands in a field at a local football club, with a bar, and a couple of food trucks.

“We hoped for a couple of thousand people across the week but in total, we brought 5,000 people out. That was in 2022.

“We ended the run of shows with a comedy night because we thought we’ve got the stage, we’ve got the lights, and we’ve got the PA as well as bands and I somehow managed to convince Jason Manford to come and gig for us. On a lorry stage in a field.

“That comedy gala, people brought their own folding chairs and picnic blankets, and they sat in a field with a blanket around them, and they enjoyed a really good night

of comedy and that led us to book more comedians in 2024.”

NO ORDINARY TICKET

Good Times Live is comprised of 5 x onenight shows – a mix of family-friendly entertainment and popular bands. The run ends with a comedy evening. Clearly, it’s a formula that’s working. Especially as, for 2026, the trio have launched a five-day event pass.

Yet it’s no ordinary ticket. The pass is interchangeable so if you love Madness and Russell Howard but hate Emeli Sandé, you can watch a gig one night and give the laminated pass to another family member or friend to use later in the week.

Previously, Good Times Live ran from Friday to Monday, now it runs from Wednesday to Monday with affordable ticket options that make the event accessible.

“We’re Good Times,” explains Campbell. “We’re aiming for it to be the cheapest place to watch an act, your favourite act, and the cheapest place to buy a pint while you watch it. But with high crew welfare, high backstage and artist welfare, and high crowd welfare.

“I tour around the world and do 52 festivals a year with mainstream acts so I

ALISTAIR GREGSON (he/him), TOM CAMPBELL (he/him) AND JAMES MURDEN (he/him)

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want to take all the best bits of those and put them into Good Times.”

GROWTH

Throughout the chat, Campbell often says that Good Times Live is taking “baby steps” in terms of growth. Yet, the event quickly outgrew its original location and the organising team has had the foresight to choose a new venue that has capacity to grow with the event.

Murden continues: “Our old site had more limitations in terms of parking, and access, and things like that but it was the perfect kind of ground to prove the concept. We’ve now moved a mile and a half up the road to a location which has the capacity – in potentially two or three years’ time – for us to get 15,000 to 20,000 people in a show, which puts us in a really unique position.”

RESPECT

Gregson – who is responsible for site design and management, and health and safety –explains that the new move felt like year one all over again. Chipping Sodbury RFC is vastly different to Yate Town FC so for 2025, the team adopted the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid) and worked hard to “prove” to the local authority and local residents that Good Times Live could be trusted to take things up a notch.

“Alistair has been instrumental in making sure we’re running safe, legal events and challenging us on things we might not have considered, or suggesting things that will enhance the event even further,” adds Murden, who is responsible for booking acts, negotiating deals, marketing, and promotion. “Between the three of us, we tick most of the boxes. We also challenge each other and ask questions, but also understand that if we’re told, ‘No’, then it’s for a reason.”

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Campbell is responsible for production and lighting design. High production values are very much his bag. This will be a big focus for 2026 when audience figures will climb to 8,000 with “arena” acts headlining.

“We try to have a line-up that has something for everyone,” Murden explains

further. “No one looks at it and says, ‘I want to see all of those shows’, but no one looks at it and says, ‘There’s nothing for me’, either.”

Campbell, Murden, and Gregson state that they are trying to build an event that grows in the future. To do that, they must ensure customer-facing teams are friendly, security teams are polite, and there are no hidden costs. Things like children’s activities and funfair rides must be included in the price of a ticket. And the right suppliers – such as NoNonsense Group, Templine, 2CL, Sunbelt Rentals, Bath Marquees, DBD Group, Hopkins Machinery, and SteelShield – are on-board.

PROUD

“When you go to a festival, you’re committing to camping, a weekend off work, living in those festival conditions,” Murden says. “What we found is that people like the pick and mix variety. If they want to go on Wednesday to see someone, and they want to come back on Sunday to see someone, but they’re going to work in between, sleep in their own bed, shower in their own shower, that’s fine. From a cost perspective, it’s more affordable and from a site management perspective, we’re not managing on-site showers, camping, etc. This way, we spread our risk because if one show doesn’t sell, or one headliner pulls out the week before, the other shows can prop it up.”

Gregson says that Murden, Campbell, and himself have all brought high standards to the table. The trio want the event to be the best it can physically be and that’s been a real driving force for them.

“We want people to go away feeling that the event actually gave a f@*k,” Gregson adds. “We want them to know we cared about every single person and I am really proud of what we’ve done.

“This year, I got my parents to come up on the Sunday and I drove them around the site in a buggy, and we were all in tears. I was so proud of what we’d achieved.”

GETTING LOTS RIGHT

Visitor feedback is crucial to the organising team and so when Good Times Live moved in 2025 and expanded its footprint, it was vital that the event did not disrupt the lives of the locals too much. Or as Gregson puts it: “We made sure we didn’t piss on our own doorstep.”

“So what’s now and what’s next?” StandOut asks.

Murden concludes: “We’ve got six months from November to May to finalise plans. We need to get quotes for a few things so we’ll be reaching out to a few people, and we still need to announce some of our line-up.

“Customer feedback suggests we’re getting lots right but you can never be stagnant and there are always things we can improve.”

THE SHOWMAN’S SHOW

Who can you spot?

Last month, StandOut headed to The Showman’s Show to catch up with industry professionals. But who did we bump into? Check out our picture gallery to find out who…

COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL’S DANNY GREENE (he/him), NATHANIEL PRESCOD (he/him), RYAN DAVIES (he/him), AND JULIA BUTLER (she/her)

DOCK STREET EVENTS’ CHRIS CLAY (he/him)

LS EVENTS’ SUZANNE JOHNSON (she/her)

HOOKED ON EVENTS’ ROGER HOOKER (he/him)

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S VERENA GIELEN (she/her), ALFIE JOURDAN (he/him), AND SAM EVANS (he/him)

ROYAL INTERNATIONAL AIR TATTOO’S REBECCA COOK (she/her), MATT DAVIES (he/him), JAMES FRANCIS (he/him), AND LYNDA HARBOUR (she/her)

The Stage Bus is an event production and stage hire company with a difference; all of their stages are solarpowered! Based in Birmingham and covering outdoor events nationwide, The Stage Bus proudly boasts an eight-strong fleet of stages that are amongst the most innovative around. Visit their website for more information or call their friendly, knowledgeable sales team.

events@gap-group.co.uk | www.gap-group.co.uk

The Showman’s Show

22-23 October 2025 | Newbury Showground

Once again, DCRS enjoyed exhibiting at The Showman’s Show, connecting with both new and familiar faces. We showcased our latest two-way radio technology, including the MOTOTRBO R2, R5, and R7, our full WAVE PTX portfolio, and a range of hire equipment. 2025 has been an incredible year, and we’re excited for what 2026 holds for DCRS and the outdoor events industry. Thank you to everyone who visited us!

E: sales@dcrs.co.uk

W: dcrs.co.uk

Since 2003, we have been dedicated to delivering exceptional audio-visual support for concerts, tours, and festivals. Our expertise in live event production encompasses sound and lighting, outdoor LED screens, mobile screens, and stages. Trust us to elevate your next event with our commitment to quality and innovation.

W: av-matrix.com

Bunkabin, the leading UK supplier of portable accommodation, offers over 3,000 en-suite Sleeper units for Events, Education, Construction, Agriculture, and Defence. Our options range from cost-effective ‘Junior Sleepers’ to luxurious ‘Bespoke Sleepers’ with fullsize beds, heating, showers, and toilets. We also provide portable showers, toilets, and dining units. As a family-run business based in Oldham, we focus on excellent service and ensuring a smooth hiring experience for our customers.

W: bunkabin.co.uk

The Stage Bus is an event production company based in Birmingham, providing innovative solar powered mobile stages across the UK. Their quirky, vehicle-based stages are powered by the sun and their on-board batteries mean they can power events day and night. With full sound and lighting facilities and a sound engineer included, the reduced set-up times for our stages also make them some of the most cost-effective solutions available. W: thestagebus.com

Davis Trackhire is the UK’s largest independent supplier of portable aluminium roadways and associated ground protection services, and a dedicated supplier to the outdoor events industry. Based in North Lanarkshire and The East Midlands we offer a professional, attentive and comprehensive service. Whether you require a backstage area for your festival or a ring road around your event site we have the skills, products and experience to handle your requirements.

W: davistrackhire.com

The Showman’s Show was a huge success. Alongside our 3 Bay Vacuum Pods, Luxury 6 Bay Toilets, 8 Bay Shower Pods, Disabled Vacuum Pod and 8 Bay Sink Unit. Our new Sleeper Cabins truly stole the show, driving immediate enquiries. With their eco-friendly build and comfort-led design, bookings are already filling for 2026. If you are planning ahead, now is the time to secure availability. Limited 2025 winter dates also remain.

W: site-equip.co.uk

E: event@site-equip.co.uk

T: 01256 384 134

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The Showman’s Show

22-23 October 2025 | Newbury Showground

The Showman’s Show was a great success for Wise Parking, with strong engagement across both days. Visitors really connected with our value proposition…. a data-driven, cashgenerating event parking revolution that comes at no cost to organisers. It was brilliant to meet so many event professionals looking to modernise their operations, and we left the show with exciting new opportunities and partnerships for the 2026 season.

W: wiseparking.co.uk

Gofer: Powering a Connection. The team had a lovely time at the Showman’s Show, it was great to see so many people. It was lovely to chat about the events you held this year and how we can help power events for next year. If you didn’t get a chance to see us, you can reach us at info@gofer.co.uk or www.gofer.co.uk to find out more about generator, distribution, cable and lighting hire for your events.

T: 01473 2825830

E: info@gofer.co.uk

W: gofer.co.uk

SIAMAX SOLUTIONS

It was great to meet so many old and new faces at our stand at the Showman’s Show 2025. The interest we had was incredible. Please do get in touch with your event infrastructure needs for the upcoming season. Whether its Water, Waste, Power, Wifi or Labour, Siamax has the solution for you. Email the team: info@siamax.com

T: 01444 484752

The Showman’s Show 2025 was a fantastic chance to meet with customers and industry friends new and old. The number of visitors attending seemed to be its highest in recent years, and we had some great conversations with perspective new customers who are interested in doing business with us next year. We hope visitors enjoyed a round of mini-golf whilst stopping by, and we can’t wait to return again next year.

E: sales@radiohire.com

T: 01778 393938

For over 20 years we have been supplying Ground Protection and furniture to events and festivals large and small. A nationwide service. Heavy duty roadways for HGV’s medium duty for cars and vans. Walkways to help your visitors walk around your show ground easily and comfortably. The famous Foldtable to make people feel at home when they are have their food and drinks. Contact us for more information. Trevor, Louisa or Bob 01487 823344. W: gttrax.co.uk

We have always attended the Showman’s Show for the last 20 years. It is a great event to showcase your products and services plus to network with existing customers and meet new ones. Planning for the 2026 season is well under way as we have a new branch and business in Scotland. Hopkins Vehicle Solutions will be covering all events in Scotland and North England, focusing on the hire of buggies.

T: 01633 680754

W: hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

GT TRAX

The Showman’s Show

22-23 October 2025 | Newbury Showground

Another great turn out at the Showman’s Show 2025. Thank you to all who came to visit ACE Plant on the stand, it’s always good to find out what we did well / not so well over the events season and to see what is up peoples sleeves for next year. ACE are looking forward to 2026 with an ever-increasing fleet, ready to support more events, with newer equipment and the best service. Contact us to book for the 2026 season now!

T: 01908 562191

E: hire@aceplant.co.uk

The Showman’s Show was a tremendous success this year, giving us the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of new customers and trusted suppliers. The energy across the event reinforced our confidence in this thriving industry, which continues to show strong growth and innovation. With demand rising, we’re actively building a stronger, more capable team to support our expanding client base and ensure we continue delivering exceptional value in this growing sector.

W: bluestarleasing.com

The Showman’s Show 2025 was a fantastic opportunity for the Festival Pro team to connect with organisers, explore the latest event tech, and showcase how our platform supports festivals of all sizes with seamless management and ticketing tools

Thanks to everyone who stopped bywe’ll see you next year!

W: festivalpro.com

T: +44 207 060 2666

E: info@festivalpro.com

attend2IT had an incredible time at the Showman’s Show this year. Our darts competition drew fantastic engagement, and we were thrilled to congratulate the winners! It was great reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting new clients to discuss how our IT, Wi-Fi, CCTV, and event-tech solutions can elevate their 2026 plans. Thank you to everyone who stopped by, we’re excited to continue supporting the industry with reliable, innovative services.

T: 01763 877477

W: attend2it.co.uk

AeroAVA had a great time exhibiting at the Showman’s Show. We joined a wide variety of fantastic suppliers supporting UK outdoor events, meeting an equally diverse range of visitors who attended. Thanks to all those who visited us, keen to discuss drone displays as part of their projects in 2026.

E: enquire@aeroava.com

T: 0330 133 1460

GAP Event Services had a standout year at The Showman’s Show and Event Buyers Live. These events enabled us to strengthen partnerships with existing customers and showcase our specialist event infrastructure solutions to new ones. We also connected with many industry professionals, building relationships that will drive future growth. Backed by our dedicated team and proven expertise, we move towards the 2026 season with confidence, ready to deliver exceptional support for the event industry.

E: events@gap-group.co.uk

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On track

Trackway choice can have a major impact on your event. Read on as event professionals discuss ground protection products and best practices

hen the weather is dry and the ground is hard, it can be tricky to argue the importance of trackway. So, given the scorching hot summer that the events industry experienced this year, it’s understandable that trackway providers are reminding live event organisers of the many benefits of ground protection.

“I know people will think I am biased but it is better to put vital infrastructure in place,” explains Nick Hibbert, managing director of Atlas Ground Protection. “If you’ve got the right infrastructure, the whole site can run smoother.”

Hibbert is being honest. He admits to being a little worried. When the industry experiences a dry year, people forget about the wet one they had the year before, he says.

“It does worry me a little,” he continues. “I think people will think that they got away with it this year, therefore, they’ll hold off their trackway order because they probably think they won’t need it. However, the worst time to order trackway is once the ground’s already churned up, because then even laying the trackway becomes more difficult.”

Ben Chambers, head of commercial development - trakway at Sunbelt Rentals, warns organisers to be realistic about weather patterns. He says: “How many

three-week periods in the UK summer will be consecutively dry?

“You can have the driest of summers, but you will still have pockets of rain. It might not be bad, but if you’re having hundreds of deliveries driving across a field, you’re still going to have problems.”

FLEXIBLE SOLUTION

This year, Atlas Ground Protection provided British Marine, organiser of Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS), with roughly 1,000 square metres of Atlas Walkway, a PVC product that is manufactured in the UK.

Hibbert worked closely with SIBS’ Jasmine Hill, event director, and Kimberley Wood, event operations manager, to come up with a solution for the event’s new entrance and visitor queueing area.

SIBS wished to place signage down the sides of the trackway, reducing the width of the queueing area. Atlas Walkway’s smaller size enabled Wood to accommodate the signage with tweaks being made as the infrastructure was installed.

Wood explains: “We had 72 metres of queueing area and we had levelled off the land but it wasn’t quite flat. With metal trackway, which we have the majority of on site, it doesn’t have the same flex and the

panels are too wide. Nick’s product was flexible, workable, and a lot neater.”

Hibbert continues: “There was a little bit of back and forth because we were creating a brand new entrance. We changed some elements of the layout when we got to site but because Atlas Walkway can be installed by hand, we were able to tweak plans and look at how we installed the product in and around the structures.”

INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

Hibbert is currently developing Atlas’ portfolio of products. He wishes to create the strongest product on the market that is also the lightest to carry, making it easier to manoeuvre for crews on site and more sustainable in terms of transportation and logistics.

Yet, Atlas Ground Protection is not the only supplier investing in kit and developing new products for the live events market.

Sunbelt Rentals has four products in development that are being tested over the winter, All Land Services (ALS) plans to invest in more SignaRoad and GT Trax is working on two new heavy duty, plastic ground protection panels that will be “more reliable, easier to lay and quicker to lay”, says Trevor Tinker, director of GT Trax, which is celebrating an “absolute record year” – despite the heat.

KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR

As StandOut writes, GT Trax is currently supporting From the Fields with Northern Lights Leeds, a one-mile light trail at Temple Newsam comprised of 14 illuminated zones. Davis Track Hire and GT Trax are working alongside Grace and Tailor, which is site managing the trail on behalf of From the Fields.

Trackway is vital to this project, as Inde Panesar, project coordinator at Grace and Tailor, explains: “We ordered just short of 3,000 track mats for the car park. Last year, we worked with another supplier, who are very good, but their product just wasn’t fit for purpose, for what we specifically needed.

“We’ve worked with Trevor and GT Trax on a number of events. Last year, we had to build a secondary car park at the last minute and the GT Trax team helped us out massively. Trevor was our knight in shining armour and helped us to get the car park to the standard we required.”

PRICE AND PRODUCT

This year, GT Trax has supplied Northern Lights Leeds with a mix of ground protection products – everything from PowerTrax 20 and Tuff Trax to WalkOvers.

Panesar continues: “Last year, we used Euro Mats and it’s a good product but it just wasn’t right for us. We’re live for six to seven weeks. It’s a very long stint, especially when it’s wet, windy, snowy, and everything in between.”

Northern Lights Leeds requires more than 3,000 ground protection panels, which come with a “hefty price tag”. However, when you’re working in tough weather conditions and for a long period of time, it’s a cost that cannot be ignored.

“Price is a big thing but it’s all about getting the right product,” Panesar adds. “And it’s also about having the right network of people around you, especially for this job, when you’re on-site for a long time.”

KEEPING EVERYTHING TOGETHER

Steve Cunningham, founder of 20-20 Events, concurs. For Frieze Masters 2025, he opted to use a durable plastic ground protection

FRIEZE MASTERS

Image: © 20-20 Events

GROUND

product rather than aluminium track panels. It was the first time he had used ALS’ SignaRoad product on this project.

Despite some initial nerves at the beginning of the build, in relation to how fast the SignaRoad could be installed compared to aluminium panels, Cunningham had every faith in the product. He was pleased with the results.

He explains: “We worked with ALS a couple of years ago on The Treasure House Fair. We didn’t use a huge amount of SignaRoad on that project but we liked the product so we opted to use it on Frieze Masters, about 1,000 panels.

“Previously, we’ve used aluminium products but we chose to use ALS’ SignaRoad for a couple of key reasons.

“One is, because the panels overlap each other, you don’t get ridges appearing between panels. With the aluminium, over the course of a few weeks, particularly on uneven ground, the panels can separate, the plates break, you get these big ridges, and they can be quite dangerous, because if people are driving around with the forks a little bit low, they can suddenly go under a panel. You just don’t get that with the SignaRoad. It all stays in one big piece. So that’s the main thing, but you also get less leaching of mud coming up through the panels.”

Cunningham continues: “Overlapping panels helps us to keep everything together. The other thing is that it’s much quieter to install SignaRoad. You haven’t got four big wagons all operating at the same time with their diesel engines running, putting it in. At Frieze Masters, it went in with one telehandler,

a smaller forklift, and a few guys on foot with hand tools. That was a big positive.”

CONSIDER SCHEDULES

Joshua Timmis, director of ALS, describes SignaRoad as a great product for live events that have a lot of HGV traffic. But he acknowledges that it’s not a cheap product. It’s one reason why ALS is also investing in TuffTrax to give organisers and production teams a more affordable “equivalent”.

“I’ve been on a few sites this year where you can see that organisers have been restricted on budgets and you can see what’s happened because the weather’s turned through the event. This has a massive impact on schedules, the load in and the de-rig.

“Organisers do need to consider contractor schedules and whether they have left enough time to get a road or a pad in because if they don’t, it can slow everyone’s day.”

GET OUT OF JAIL

On a positive note, Tinker believes that more and more organisers are adopting a more forward-thinking approach to infrastructure. This year, he says, event professionals have been ahead with their planning so ground protection has been easier to organise and there has been a “lot less panic”.

But what advice would he give to organisers when it comes to ground protection? “Tell us your dimensions, tell us what size vehicles are going over the trackway, the number of vehicles going over it, and exactly where,” says Tinker. “What kind of ground is the ground protection sitting on top of? Sandy? Clay? If you give us that

information, we can look at the most cost effective and suitable products.”

As a trackway specialist, Hibbert firmly believes that event and festival organisers should not be scared to ask stupid questions. Like Tinker, or any ground protection expert, Hibbert loves it when an organiser throws a problem at him to solve.

“We don’t expect a customer to be an expert in trackway so ask for our advice. That’s what we’re here for. Like any contractor, really. Give us the problem so that we can come up with a solution because that’s our day to day job.

“Don’t try and be the expert in someone else’s field and just ask those questions –even if you think it’s a stupid question, it might not be; it might get you out of jail halfway through a storm in the middle of an event.”

GT TRAX

BRADSHAW EVENT VEHICLES

Knock out service

Sunbelt Rentals discusses how it delivered vital infrastructure for the Crocker vs Donovan 2 IBF Welterweight World Title Fight in Belfast

hen Matchroom Boxing staged the eagerly awaited Crocker vs Donovan 2 IBF Welterweight world title fight at Clearer Twist National Stadium, Windsor Park, Belfast, in September, Sunbelt Rentals was behind the scenes to deliver temporary infrastructure and to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Paul Tumilty, Sunbelt Rentals’ managing director for Ireland, talks through the run up and aftermath of the event.

“Well, firstly, I've got to say, the success of this job was down to the incredible level of teamwork,” he said. “As a whole, we delivered a large event infrastructure package, including set up and derig in just a 96-hour period, with outstanding results.

“Ordinarily, a project of this scale would allow four days just for installation. But, for Windsor Park, our team had just 12 hours to complete a full pitch covering, and the same again for removal.

“But it wasn’t only pitch covering that we provided. Sunbelt Rentals also supplied power, fencing, barriers, powered access, plant, traffic control measures, tower lights, and welfare facilities.

“In numbers, this equated to 325 square metres of Lion Panels, 1,110 square metres of Event Panels, and 7,100 square metres of SupaTrac –all installed overnight from 6pm on September 10 and fully recovered by 11pm on September 14.”

TEAMWORK IN ACTION

The delivery relied on the combined strength of Sunbelt Rentals’ Trakway division and team in Ireland, to support hauliers and agency suppliers. Crews worked day and night, often in torrential rain, to meet the exceptionally tight deadlines.

Although this was a challenging event to manage, particularly with the incredibly tight turnaround, the commitment from the team to ensure that this was a success for the customer was extraordinary.

From marking out and ferrying kit to installation and removal, everyone played their part. It was a real team effort, and Sunbelt Rentals is incredibly proud of what was achieved.

Tumilty continued: “We would also like to acknowledge Matchroom Boxing, and all the other great suppliers. The event itself was incredible, and it was a pleasure to work on this.

“The delivery of this high-profile event highlighted the scale of Sunbelt Rentals’ operations in the UK and Ireland. Covering complex requirements across multiple service areas, this project reflected the business' integrated approach and the role of collaboration across teams."

Tumilty concluded: “For large live events, our model of providing a single point of delivery for equipment rental offers our customers with the consistency and reliability when it was needed most."

ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

Eventwell

T: 0800 470 0958

E: bookings@eventwell.org

W: EventWell.org

Opal Temporary Access Ltd

Norfolk Road, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2PS

E: info@opaltemporaryaccess.com

W: www.opaltemporaryaccess.com

T: 01474 568100

: www.linkedin.com/company/opal-temporaryaccess-ltd/posts/?feedView=all

ACCREDITATION

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GOAllAreas

E: goallareas@gingerowl.co.uk

W: www.gingerowl.co.uk

BALLOONS, BUNTING & FLAGS

B-Loony Ltd

Cape House, 105 Bellingdon Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 2HQ

T: 01494 774376

E: sales@b-loony.co.uk

W: www.b-loony.co.uk

BAR

MUTA

10B Red House Yard, Gislingham Road, Thornham Magna, Eye, Suffolk IP23 8HH

T: 01379 788673

E: info@muta.org.uk

W: www.muta.org.uk

AV, SOUND & LIGHTING

Event Production Services

The Pack House, Drayton St. Leonard, Oxford, OX10 7BG

T: 01844 278446

E: info@epsoxford.com

Hire Frequencies

T: 0203 3026947

E: enquiries@hirefrequencies.co.uk

W: www.hirefrequencies.co.uk

Lighthouse Events

Reading, UK

T: 0333 335 6353

E: info@lighthouse-events.co.uk

W: https://www.lighthouse-events.co.uk/

: https://www.instagram.com/ lighthouseeventsuk/ : https://www.linkedin.com/company/ lighthouse-events/

NSR Communications Ltd

16 Caxton Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 8UA

E: james@nsrcommunications.co.uk

W: https://nsrcommunications.uk/

: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ nsr-communications-ltd

: https://www.facebook.com/NSRComms

Press Red Rentals Limited

Unit H11, Halesfield 19, Telford, TF7 4QT

T: +44 (0) 1952 587049

W: www.pressred.biz

Bar Live Events

Unit D215, Parkhall Studios, London, SE21 8DE

T: 0208 761 8424

E: nick@barlive.co.uk

W: www.barlive.co.uk

Cambridge Event Bars

T: 01223 785401

M: 07837 707057

E: Info@cambridgeeventbars.co.uk

W: www.cambridgeeventbars.co.uk

Innovative Hire

Unit N, Lion Works Estate, 543 Wallisdown Road

Bournemouth BH12 5AD

T: 01202 941 068

W: http://innovativehire.co.uk

Peppermint Events Ltd

Lower Ground 04, Edinburgh House, 154-182 Kennington Lane, London, SE11 5DP

T: 0333 043 7845

E: Standout@peppermintevents.co.uk

W: https://peppermintbars.co.uk/

Pop-up-Pubs

T: +44(0)1993 832155

E: info@pop-up-pubs.com

W: www.pop-up-pubs.com

SIPS Events

mikey@sipsevents.net www.sipsevents.net

Symonds Event Bars

Drakewell, Stoke Lacy, Bromyard, Herefordshire, HR7 4HG

T: 01885 490267

E: info@eventbars.co.uk

W: www.eventbars.co.uk

BRAND ACTIVATION & EXPERIENTIAL

Instant Marquees

T: 01840 213063

www.instantmarquees.co.uk

Bradshaw Event Vehicles

New Lane, Stibbington, Peterborough, PE8 6LW

T: 01780 782621

E: rentals@bradshawev.com

W: www.bradshawev.com

: @Bradshaw_EV

BUGGY HIRE

CABINS

Event Buggy Hire

T: 0113 393 4100

E: info@eventbuggyhire.co.uk

W: www.eventbuggyhire.co.uk

Hopkins Machinery

T: 01633 680754

E: hire@hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

W: www.hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

NSR Communications Ltd

16 Caxton Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 8UA

E: james@nsrcommunications.co.uk

W: https://nsrcommunications.uk/ : https://www.linkedin.com/company/ nsr-communications-ltd : https://www.facebook.com/NSRComms

Qdos Event Hire Ltd

Fernside Place, 179 Queens Road, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0AH

T: 0845 862 0952

E: enquiries@qdoseventhire.co.uk

W: www.qdoseventhire.co.uk : @QdosEventHire : www.facebook.com/pages/Qdos-Event-Hire/ : @qdoseventhire

Wernick Events

Joseph House, Northgate Way, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8ST

T: 01922 472 900

E: events@wernick.co.uk

W: www.wernick.co.uk/events

: @WernickEvents

Event Traffic Control Limited

Baldersby Gardens, Ripon Road, Baldersby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PS

T: 08000 246 800

E: info@eventtc.com

W: www.eventtc.com

CATERING

55 Event Catering Solutions

T: 07734 889638

E: sam@55eventcateringsolutions.co.uk

W: https://www.55eventcateringsolutions.co.uk

CLEANING & SUPPORT SERVICES

Falcon Cleaning

The Falcon Nest, Unit 10 & 11, Lower Gower Road, Royston SG8 5EA

E: admin@falconteam.co.uk

W: www.falconteam.co.uk

Top Mops Event Services

7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR

T: 0800 970 4035

E: info@topmops.net

W: https://topmops.net

COFFEE BARS

Markey Ltd

39b Park Farm Ind Estate, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, SG9 9AZ

T: 01763 271110

E: info@markey.co.uk

W: www.markey.co.uk

CONTROL ROOM MANAGEMENT

MinT Command

E: neil@mintcommand.com

W: www.mintcommand.com : https://uk.linkedin.com/in/neilminter : @MinTcommand : www.facebook.com/MinTcommand/

CORPORATE CREW

Rodeo Crew

128 Wey House, 15 Church Street, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 8NA

T: 020 8075 7799

E: bookcrew@rodeocrew.uk

W: www.rodeocrew.uk

CREW SERVICES

Falcon Festival Services

The Falcon Nest, Unit 10 & 11, Lower Gower Road, Royston SG8 5EA

E: info@falconteam.co.uk

W: www.falconteam.co.uk

MLD Event Group

T: 01903372773

E: info@mld.events

W: www.mld.events

Olympus Crew

T: 07904 903452

E: info@olympuscrew.co.uk

W: www.olympuscrew.co.uk

Optimal Events Group Ltd / Trading as Optimal Crew

Marsh Mill Village, 5A, Fleetwood Rd N, Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 4JZ

T: 07375 843976

E: Enquiries@optimalcrew.co.uk

W: https://optimalcrew.co.uk

PS Events Crew

Suite 117-119 Lovell House, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6FW

T: 0151 319 8888

E: Operations@pseventscrew.co.uk

W: www.pseventscrew.co.uk

S3K Group

The Old Mill Building, Rookery Farm, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 6EP

T: 0845 299 7991

E: office@s3kgroup.com

W: www.s3kgroup.com : @s3kgroup

Stage Miracles Ltd

Rooms 39-40, The Enterprise Centre

Cranbourne Road, Potters Bar EN6 3DQ

E: mail@stagemiracles.co.uk

T: 01707 662 500

The UK’s Leading Crew Company

We supply crew in: London (and surrounding areas), Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Birmingham, and more

YOUR Group - A global workforce

T: +44 (0) 203 576 2330

E: connect@your-group.co.uk

W: www.your-group.co.uk

: https://www.instagram.com/your.comp.group : https://www.linkedin.com/company/yourcompanies-group

Video: https://vimeo.com/yourvid/ presentationuk

DRONE DISPLAYS

FlightShows

T: 020 3151 6891

E: Hello@FlightShows.com

W: www.FlightShows.com : www.facebook.com/FlightShows/ : www.linkedin.com/company/flightshows/ : www.instagram.com/flightshows/ : www.tiktok.com/@flightshows_drones

EQUIPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE

Falcon Site Equipment

The Falcon Nest, Unit 10 & 11, Lower Gower Road, Royston SG8 5EA

E: admin@falconteam.co.uk

W: www.falconteam.co.uk

EQUIPMENT HIRE

GAP Event Services

Carrick House, 40 Carrick Street

Glasgow G2 8DA

T: 0333 202 0712

E: events@gap-group.co.uk

W: www.gap-group.co.uk

EVENT ACCOMMODATION

Bunkabin

Tweedale Way, Oldham, OL9 7LD

T: 0345 456 7899

E: hires@bunkabin.co.uk

W: www.bunkabin.co.uk

Zoo Events Group Ltd

Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ

T: 01258 840233

E: info@zooeventsgroup.co.uk

W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

EVENT CONSTRUCTION

Setstage Ltd

T: 01274 265217

E: info@setstage.co.uk

: linkedin.com/in/kate-greenwood-82315223/

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Bright Events Ltd

T: 07856588815

W: www.brighteventsltd.com

: linkedin.com/in/karen-edwards-events/

CM Production Management Ltd

T: 020 8056465

E: hello@cmpm.co.uk

W: www.cmpm.co.uk : facebook.com/cmpmlive : @cmpmlive

LFX Events

Unit 10 Merchants House, Market Place, Stockport, SK1 1EU

E: enquiries@lfxevents.co.uk

W: www.lfxevents.co.uk

MNPE Ltd

T: +44 (0)203 146 6844

E: info@mnpe.co.uk

W: www.mnpe.co.uk

Victorious Events

T: 07869 701 616

E: info@victoriousevents.co.uk

W: victoriousevents.co.uk

EVENT PASS PRINTING

Eyecatchers

T: 01772 681000

E: sales@eyecatchers.co.uk

W: www.eyecatchers.co.uk / www.myeventpass.co.uk

EVENT PRODUCTION

b2 Live Events

T: 01708 344668

E: info@thisisb2.com

W: www.thisisb2.com

Culture Creative

T: 01665 798 007

E: info@culturecreative.co.uk

W: www.culturecreative.co.uk

Visions Live

EVENT SAFETY

Unit 2 Thames Valley Connect, Western Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1QP

T: 01189 358121

E: info@visionsgroup.co.uk

W: www.visionsgroup.co.uk

Eep Safety Team

Unit 42, Dunsfold Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU6 8TB

T: 01483 266486

E: tom@eepteam.com

W: www.eepsafety.com

LFX Safety Unit 10 Merchants House, Market Place, Stockport, SK1 1EU

E: enquiries@lfxsafety.co.uk

W: www.lfxsafety.co.uk

Radius

Desklodge House, Redcliffe Way, Bristol, England, BS1 6NL

E: info@radius-events.com

W: www.radius-events.com : linkedin.com/company/radiuseventsltd

SafetyDocs

EVENT SERVICES

Conect Ltd 483 Green Lanes, London, N13 4BS

T: 0208 242 4942

E: info@safetydocs.org

W: https://safetydocs.org/

Number 8 Events Ltd

The Hay Shed, Sparrows Lane, Matching Green, CM17 0RP

T: 0203 7437292

E: info@number8events.co.uk

W: www.number8events.com

EVENT STAFFING AGENCY

Event People : https://www.linkedin.com/company/ event-people/ : weareeventpeople

E: hello@weareeventpeople.co.uk

EXHIBITION STAND CONTRACTORS

Access Displays Unit 38, Whitehill Industrial Estate, Whitehill Lane, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, SN4 7DB

sales@accessdisplays.co.uk www.accessdisplays.co.uk 01793 613088

EXHIBITION TRAILERS & MOBILE UNITS

DWT Exhibitions

Trailer Hire, Sales & Management

Jubilee Park, Honeypot Lane, Colsterworth, Lincolnshire, NG33 5LZ

T: 01476 860833

E: pip@dwt-exhibitions.co.uk

W: www.dwt-exhibitions.co.uk

Inchmere Event Design Ltd

Swan Close Studios, Swan Close Road, Banbury, OX16 5TE

T: 01295 661000

E: alastair@inchmere.co.uk

W: www.inchmere.co.uk

TCM Trailers Ltd

Watery Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7SE

E: emily@tcmtrailers.co.uk

W: www.tcmtrailers.co.uk

EVENT VEHICLE HIRE

Bradshaw Event Vehicles

New Lane, Stibbington, Peterborough, PE8 6LW

T: 01780 782621

E: rentals@bradshawev.com

W: www.bradshawev.com : @Bradshaw_EV

FENCING & BARRIERS

Augusta Event Support Ltd

Cadeby, CV13 0BD

E: Sarah@aesteam.co.uk

W: https://augustaeventsupport.com/

Zone Secure

Gorsley Business Park, Ross on Wye HR9 7SD

E: info@zonesecure.co.uk

W: www.zonesecure.co.uk

FESTIVAL GAS

Festival Gas

Priors Revel, Church lane, Middleton, Nr Tamworth, B78 2AL

T: 07930 758893 E: simon@festivalgas.co.uk

W: www.festivalgas.co.uk

FIRE COVER

FLAGS

Red Rose Fire Solutions Ltd

6 Brissenden Close, New Romney

Kent TN28 8JD

T: 01995 503504

E: info@redrosefiresolutions.co.uk

Instant Marquees

T: 01840 213063 www.instantmarquees.co.uk

FLOORING & FLOOR COVERINGS

Coir Store

8-9 Yelverton Road, Brislington, Bristol BS4 5HP

E: info@coirstore.co.uk

T: 07983 614410

W: https://coirstore.co.uk

Event Flooring Solutions Ltd

T: 01509 768 252

E: sales@efseurope.co.uk

W: www.efseurope.co.uk

Gigtent UK

Sonas House, Button End Harston, Cambridge, CB22 7NX

T: 01223 870935

E: info@gigtent.co.uk

W: www.gigtent.co.uk

FURNITURE HIRE / SALES

Furniture On The Move

Unit B, Canada Warehouse, Chittening Industrial Estate, Worthy Road, Avonmouth, Bristol, BS11 0YB

T: 0845 459 9875

E: info@furnitureonthemove.co.uk

W: www.furnitureonthemove.co.uk

HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS

BiemmedueUK & Arcotherm

Unit 12, Wilson Road, South Wigston, Leicester LE18 4TP

T: 01773 836999 | E: sales@biemmedueuk.com

W: www.biemmedueuk.com

Spica Temperature Control Solutions Ltd

20 Crowsport, Hamble, Hampshire, SO31 4HG

T: 02380 453841

M: 07780 638976

E: kay@spicasolutions.com

W: www.spicasolutions.com

INFLATABLE STRUCTURES

Dawsongroup tcs

Dawsongroup | tcs

Export Drive, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 6AF

T: 01623 518538

E: info@dgtcs.co.uk

W: https://dgtcs.co.uk/inflatable-cold-rooms/ INSURANCE

Tysers Insurance Brokers

71 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 4BS

T: 0203 037 8000

E: tim.rudland@tysers.com

W: www.tysers.com

LASER & FX

Laser Grafix

Unit 4A Stratton Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8QS

E: info@lgfx.co.uk

W: www.lgfx.co.uk

UK office: 01767 315948

Dubai office: +971 4887 9808

LED SCREENS

EMF Technology Ltd

Unit 27 Freemantle House, Kingsclere Business Park, Kingsclere, Hants, RG20 4SW

T: 020 8003 3344

E: info@emftechnology.co.uk

W: www.emftechnology.co.uk

Lightmedia Displays

Mobile & Modular LED Screen Hire

T: 0333 600 6000 - 24 hour response

E: sales@lightmedia.co.uk

W: www.lightmedia.co.uk

Tech AV Ltd

London, Essex, Birmingham

T: 0345 257 9969

E: lee@techav.events

W: www.techav.events

YSLV

London & York

T: 0800 080 3310

E: hire@yslv.co.uk

W: www.yslv.co.uk

Azorra Limited

T: +44 [0] 7457 404054

E: hello@azorra.co.uk

W: www.azorra.co.uk

LIGHTING TOWERS

Boels Rental

MARQUEES

T: 01245 208031

E: dale.fletcher@boels.co.uk

W: www.boels.com

Events Crew Limited

T: 01963 364399

E: info@eventscrew.com

W: www.eventscrew.com

Alternative Stretch Tents Building 15, Gateway 1000, A1 (M) jct 7, Stevenage, SG1 2FP

T: 01920 830256

E: info@alternative-stretch.co.uk

Fews Marquees

Chessgrove Park, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4HS

T: 01527 821789

E: info@fews.co.uk

W: www.fewsmarquees.co.uk

Gigtent UK

Sonas House, Button End Harston, Cambridge, CB22 7NX

E: info@gigtent.co.uk

W: www.gigtent.co.uk

Instant Marquees

T: 01840 213063

www.instantmarquees.co.uk

Mahood Marquees Ltd

8 Lords Fold, Rainford, Saint Helens WA11 8HP

T: 01744 882 079

W: https://mahoodmarquees.com/

TT Tents Ltd

North Waltham Business Centre, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2DJ

T: 01256 397 551

E: sales@tttents.co.uk

Tentickle Stretch Tents UK Ltd

Langley Brook Business Park, Unit 3B London Rd, Tamworth, B78 2BP

T: 0121 7401385

M: 07826 843099

E: jorg@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

W: www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

Tentstyle

T: 01403 333135

E: enquiries@tentstyle.co.uk

W: www.tentstyle.co.uk

Top Cat Big Tops Tents & Marquees Ltd

The Old Stable Yard, Gasworks Ln, Achynlleth, SY20 8BY

T: 01654 700030

E: info@topcatbigtops.co.uk

W: www.topcatbigtops.co.uk

Ziggu Marquees

Dutton Green, Little Stanney, Chester, CH2 4SA

T: 01244722739

W: www.ziggumarquees.com

E: hello@ziggumarquees.com

MARQUEES ACCESSORIES

Opas Southern Ltd

Enterprise House, St Lawrence Avenue Worthing, West Sussex BN14 7JH

E: sales@opas.co.uk

Free Phone: 0845 1300 477

W: www.opas.co.uk

MEDICAL SERVICES

Codeblue Medical

UK Head Office – Codeblue, Grove Farm, Lane End Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3NR

T: 0203 835 8486

W: http://www.codebluemedical.co.uk

: https://www.linkedin.com/company/codeblue-uk/ : https://www.facebook.com/CodeblueUK

Enhanced Care Services

Unit H9, Adanac Park, Adanac Dr, Nursling, Southampton SO16 0BT

T: 02380 201561

E: admin@enhancedcareservices.co.uk

W: www.enhancedcareservices.co.uk

First Aid Cover Ltd

T: 020 8875 5758

E: enquiries@firstaidcover.co.uk

W: www.firstaidcover.co.uk

Location Medical Services Ltd

The Medical Centre, Shepperton Studios, Studio Road, Shepperton, Middx, TW17 0QD

T: 0870 750 9898

E: mail@locationmedical.com

W: www.locationmedical.com

Medirek

8 Primrose Place, Portsmouth Road, Godalming Surrey, GU7 2JW

T: 07776 128 409

safety and medical

E: ryan.soper@medirek.co.uk

W: www.medirek.co.uk

MET Medical Ltd

T: 0203 627 9042

E: info@met-medical.co.uk

W: www.met-medical.co.uk

NOISE MANAGEMENT

Siderise Group

Forge Industrial Estate CF34 0AH

T: 01656 730833

E: enquiries@siderise.com

W: www.siderise.com

PARKING

PLANT HIRE

Wise Parking

T: 03301 334522

E: info@wiseparking.co.uk

W: www.wiseparking.co.uk

Charles Wilson

86 High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2SP

T: 0800 458 5701

E: instanthire@cwplant.co.uk

W: www.cwplant.co.uk

Hopkins Machinery

T: 01633 680754

E: hire@hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

W: www.hopkinsmachinery.co.uk

PORTABLE TOILET HIRE

A Star All Solutions

T: 02477 350679

W: www.astarallsolutions.co.uk

Excloosive Event Hire

Field House, Bromley Park, Abbots Bromley Rugeley, Staffordshire WS15 3AH

T: 01283 575 749

M: 07778 473 064

E: info@excloosive.co.uk

Four Jays Group

Barling Farm, East Sutton, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3DX

T: 01622 843135

E: enquiries@fourjays. co.uk

W: www.fourjays.co.uk

LOOS FOR DOs Ltd

Bakers Court, Forge Road, Kingsley, Hampshire GU35 9NZ

T: 01420 588 355

E: info@loos.co.uk W: www.loos.co.uk

Just Loos

Paddock Barn, Manor Farm, Itchen Stoke, Hampshire, SO24 0QT

T: 01962 867808

E: office@justloos.com W: www.JustLoos.com

Ontrax Rentals

Elmwood Farm, Bampton OX18 2PL, England

E: hello@ontraxrentals.com

W: www.ontraxrentals.com

Site Event

The Depot, The Avenue, Lasham, Hampshire GU34 5SU

T: 01256 384 134

E: event@site-equip.co.uk

W: www.site-equip.co.uk

Vacant Event Hire

Unit C White Oak Technology Park, London Road, Swanley, Kent BR8 7AG

T: 01322 761 117

M: 07960 301178

E: info@vacant.events

W: https://vacant.events/

Zoo Events Group Ltd

Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ

T: 01258 840233

E: info@zooeventsgroup.co.uk

W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

POWER & GENERATORS

ATD Electrical

Unit 93, Greenway Business Centre, Greenway, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5QE

T: 01279 507890

E: office@atdelectrical.com

W: www.atdelectrical.com

Energy Management Services Ltd

T: 0333 305 5144

E: admin@energyms.co.uk

W: www.energyms.co.uk

Festival Power Ltd

Unit 2, Temple Bridge Business Park, Bristol, BS39 5AA

E: info@festivalpower.co.uk

W: www.festivalpower.co.uk

Gofer Ltd

Unit 7 Arkwright Road, Hadleigh Road Ind. Est, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 0UB

T: 01473 282530

E: info@gofer.co.uk

W: www.gofer.co.uk

IDE Systems

T: 01543 574 111

E: enquiries@idesystems.co.uk

W: www.idesystems.co.uk

Head Office & Manufacturing Centre

Unit 3, Swaffield Park Hyssop Close, Cannock Staffordshire, WS11 7FU United Kingdom

Instagrid UK Ltd

Silent, Clean and Portable Power

T: 07939 315074

E: andy.barnby@instagrid.co

Midas Productions (UK) Ltd

Unit 20, Clopton Commercial Park, Clopton, Ipswich, IP13 6QT

T: 0333 772 0772

M: 07949 007 603

E: info@midas-uk.co.uk

Newburn Power Rental Limited

Unit 36 Lidgate Crescent, Langthwaite Business Park, South Kirkby, Pontefract, WF9 3NR T: 0845 077 6693

E: info@npr-uk.com

Pearce Hire

Unit 8-9 Reynolds Industrial Park, Stevern way, Peterborough PE1 5EL T: 01733 554950

E: info@pearcehire.co.uk

W: www.pearchire.co.uk

Power Revolution

23C Shepherds Grove Ind Est, Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 2AR

T: 01359 256 265

E: info@power-revolution.co.uk

W: www.power-revolution.co.uk

Robert Blezard Electrical Contractor Ltd

T: 01200 777666

E: hello@robertblezard.co.uk

W: www.robertblezard.co.uk

Stuart Power

Stuart House, Hargham Road, Shropham, Norfolk, NR17 1DT

T: 01953 454540

E: enquiries@stuartpower.co.uk

W: www.stuartpower.co.uk

Tempower

T: 0845 6066049

E: hire@tempower.co.uk

W: www.tempower.co.uk

The Technical Department

14 Henley Business Park, Pirbright Road, Normandy, Surrey, GU3 2DX

T: +44 (0)1483 238 050 or +44 (0)7850 367 917

E: chantal@thetechnicaldepartment.com

REFRIGERATED STRUCTURES

Wernick Power Solutions

Joseph House, Northgate Way, Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 8ST

T: 03334 001 247

E: power@wernick.co.uk

W: www.wernick.co.uk/power : twitter.com/WernickGroup : www.linkedin.com/company/wernickgroup

XLE Event Services

T: 01789 224227

E: info@xle.co.uk

W: www.xle.co.uk : XLeventservices : @xle_events : www.linkedin.com/company/xleeventservices/

PRINTERS

PROJECTION

UK Flyers

Suite 210, Victory House, Somers Road, North Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 1PJ

T: 023 9229 3050

E: sales@ukflyers.com

W: www.ukflyers.com

EMF Technology LTD

Projection Mapping, Water Screens, Flame Effects, Lighting, Mains Distribution

T: 020 8003 3344

E: info@emftechnology.co.uk

W: www.emftechnology.co.uk

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

2CL Communications Ltd

Unit C, Woodside Trade Centre, Parnham Drive, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 4NU

T: 0800 389 2278

E: contact@2cl.co.uk

W: www.2cl.co.uk

Audiolink

T: 020 8955 1100

E: info@audiolink.co.uk / hire@audiolink.co.uk

W: www.audiolink.co.uk

DCRS

Edison Road, St.Ives, Cambs, PE27 3LH

T: 0800 043 2688

E: sales@dcrs.co.uk

W: www.dcrs.co.uk

Marathon Communications Ltd

Oakhurst Business Park, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex, RH13 9RT

T: 01403 473 858

E: info@marathoncomms.co.uk

W: www.marathoncomms.co.uk

: uk.linkedin.com/company/marathoncomms

: www.facebook.com/marathoncomms : instagram.com/marathoncomms : x.com/marathoncomms

Dawsongroup | tcs

Dawsongroup tcs

Export Drive, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 6AF

T: 01623 518538

E: info@dgtcs.co.uk

W: https://dgtcs.co.uk/inflatable-cold-rooms/ RENTAL EQUIPMENT

Sunbelt Rentals

T: 0330 053 2348

E: events@sunbeltrentals.co.uk

W: www.sunbeltrentals.co.uk/sectors/events

REUSABLE CUPS

Re-uz UK Less is now Limited

Unit 1A Walrow Industrial Estate, Commerce Way, Highbridge TA9 4AG

T: 01278 238390

E: info.uk@reuz.com

W: www.re-uz.com & www.green-goblet.com

SAFEGUARDING

X2Consult Safeguarding & Child Protection

T: 01622 278702

E: Tom@x2consult.co.uk

W: www.x2consult.co.uk

SCAFFOLD SYSTEM & TRUSS STRUCTURES

Overlay Events Ltd 54 Oxford Road, Uxbridge UB9 4DN T: 01895 813627

E: info@overlayevents.com

W: www.overlayevents.com

SRG Structures

Oldbury Lane, Bristol, BS35 1RE

T: 0117 911 4034

E: info@srg-structures.com

W: www.srg-structures.com

Ace Seating Hire

T: 01832 279333

E: info@aceseating.co.uk

W: www.aceseating.co.uk

Alliance Events Ltd

Ventura Park Road, Tamworth, England, B78 3HL

T: 02034 885480

E: admin@alliancemanagementgroup.co.uk

W: www.alliancemanagementgroup.co.uk

Anubis Group

T: 0800 121 6576

E: sales@anubis-security.com/ recruitment@anubis-security.com

W: www.anubis-security.com

DBD Group Services

T: 01934 286000 and 07955314124

E: info@dbdgroupservices.co.uk

W: www.dbdgroupservices.co.uk

Light of Night

T: 0203 189 2679

E: info@lightofnight.co.uk W: www.lightofnight.co.uk

Manchett Security

The Tack Room, Lorkins Farm, Conway’s Road, Orsett, Grays, Essex, RM16 3E

T: 01375 470 022

E: info@manchett-security.com

W: www.manchett-security.com

: @ManchettSec –: @ManchettSec –: ManchettGroup

McKenzie Arnold Group

E: joanna.white@mckenziearnold.com

T: 01376 350 999

M: 07701 048 69

Ministry Protective

T: 0800 2335518

E: info@ministryprotective.com

W: www.ministryprotective.com

New Dawn Security and Training Unit 10 Dunley Hill Court, Ranmore Common, Effingham RH5 6SX

T: 01306779436

E: Events@ndst.ltd

W: www.ndst.ltd

Newman Event Services Ltd

Crowd Management, Festival & Event

Security/Stewarding.

Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Oxfordshire, OX15 4FF

T: 01295 722844

E: enquiries@newmanevents.co.uk

W: www.newmanevents.co.uk

Right Guard Security

Experts in Crowd Management and Event Security

T: 01227 464588

E: info@rightguard.co.uk

W: www.rightguard.co.uk

Showsec

Regent House, 16 West Walk, Leicester, LE1 7NA

T: 0116 204 3333

E: sales@showsec.co.uk

W: showsec.co.uk

: showsec.uk : showsec : company/Showsec

Trojan Security Unit B7 Loughton Seedbed Centre

Langston Road

Loughton IG10 3TQ

T: 0330 113 9966

E: info@trojansecurityuk.co.uk

W: www.trojansecurityuk.co.uk

: @trojan-security-uk-ltd : @TrojanLondon :@trojan_security_UK

SET & SCENERY CONSTRUCTION

Staged Events Ltd

Meadow View, Newnham Lane, Old Basing, Hampshire, RG24 7AU

T: 01256578055

E: info@stagedevents.com

W: www.stagedevents.com

SHOWERS

Zoo Events Group Ltd

Stockton Dairy, Stockton, Warminster, BA12 OSQ

T: 01258 840233

E: info@zooeventsgroup.co.uk W: www.zooeventsgroup.co.uk

SITE SUPPLIES

Concept Products Ltd 10 Cary Court, Somerton Business Park, Somerton, TA11 6SB T: 01458 274020

E: ben@conceptproductsltd.co.uk W: www.conceptproductsltd.co.uk

SOUND, LIGHTING, VISION, POWER AND SCENIC

SPH Event Production LTD

Unit 7, Upper Wensleydale Business Park, Brunt Acres Road, Hawes, DL8 3UZ

T: 01535 442084

W: www.event-production.live

STAGING & RIGGING

IPS (Impact Production Services)

29 Mount Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK1 1LS T: 01908 657950

E: enquiries@ips.co.uk W: www.ips.co.uk

Rigger.co.uk

T: 0333 772 0120

E: contact@rigger.co.uk

W: www.rigger.co.uk

The Stage Bus

19 Prestwood Road, Birmingham, B29 5EB

T: 0121 585 9264

E: info@thestagebus.com W: www.thestagebus.com

SRG Structures

Oldbury Lane, Bristol, BS35 1RE

T: 0117 911 4034

E: info@srg-structures.com

W: www.srg-structures.com

Steeldeck Rentals

Unit 58, T. Marchant Estate, 42 - 72 Verney Rd, London SE16 3DH

T: +44 (0)207 833 2031

E: rentals@steeldeck.co.uk

W: www.steeldeck.co.uk

STAND DESIGN & BUILD

Saward Marketing and Events

T: 07788 660996

E: admin@saward-me.com

W: https://saward-me.com/

TEMPORARY BRIDGES

Mitchell Bridges Limited

London Road, Kings Worthy, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7QN

T: 01962 885040

M: 07768630373

E: chris@mitchellbridges.com

W: www.mitchellbridges.com

TEMPORARY ROADWAYS

Cap Trac Limited

The Stables, Loke Farm, Weston Longville, Norwich, NR9 5LG

T: 01603 880448

E: info@captrac.co.uk

W: www.captrac.co.uk

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

Fews Marquees

Chessgrove Park, Ditchford Bank Road, Hanbury, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4HS

T: 01527 821789

E: info@fews.co.uk

W: www.fewsmarquees.co.uk

Gigtent UK

Sonas House, Button End Harston, Cambridge, CB22 7NX

E: info@gigtent.co.uk

W: www.gigtent.co.uk

Losberger De Boer

Castle Park, Boundary Road, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 7ES

T: 01280 846500

E: sales.uk@losbergerdeboer.com

W: www.losbergerdeboer.com/uk

NEPTUNUS Ltd

Cob Drive, Swan Valley, Northampton NN4 9BB

T: 01604 593820

E: sales@neptunus.co.uk

W: www.neptunus.co.uk

Stunning Tents

Creative House, Station Road, Theale RG7 4PD

T: 0118 380 5590

E: team@stunningtents.co.uk

W: www.Stunningtents.co.uk

Technical Overlay by Visions

Unit 2 Thames Valley Connect, Western Road, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1QP

T: 01189 358121

E: info@visionsgroup.co.uk

W: www.technicaloverlay.co.uk

Tentickle Stretch Tents UK Ltd

Langley Brook Business Park, Unit 3B London Rd, Tamworth, B78 2BP

T: 0121 7401385

M: 07826 843099

E: jorg@tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

W: www.tentickle-stretchtents.co.uk

The Dome Company

T: 07876673354

E: info@thedomecompany.co.uk

W: www.thedomecompany.co.uk

TT Tents Ltd

North Waltham Business Centre, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG25 2DJ

T: 01256 397 551

E: sales@tttents.co.uk

W: www.tttents.co.uk

WH Silverbacks

Unit 26, Oakfield Road, Woolsbridge Industrial Park, Dorset BH21 6FE

T: 01202 096957

E: info@silverbacks.co.uk

W: https://whsilverbacks.co.uk/

Worldwide Structures Ltd

Ayrshire Farm, Sharcott, Pewsey, SN9 5PA

T: 01672 565 060 / +44 (0) 7875 027369

E: enquiries@w-sl.com

W: www.worldwidestructures.com

All Weather Access Ltd

County Farm, High Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1NQ

T: 01371 700510

M: 07801 751137

E: henry@all-weatheraccess.co.uk

W: www.all-weatheraccess.co.uk

GT Trax

T: 01487 823344

E: info@gttrax.co.uk

W: www.gttrax.co.uk

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Event Traffic Control Ltd

Baldersby Gardens, Ripon Road, Baldersby, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 4PS

T: 08000 246 800

E: info@eventtc.com

W: www.eventtc.com

Carbonite Traffic Solutions

T: 020 3567 1479

E: enquiries@carbonitetraffic.co.uk

W: www.carbonitetraffic.co.uk

Right Guard Traffic Management

Event Traffic Management

CSAS Accredited Traffic Officers

Car Parking • Event Signage

T: 01227 464588

E: info@rightguard.co.uk

W: www.rightguard.co.uk

TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICS

Les Jones Transport 329 Cyncoed Road, Cardiff, CF23 6PD

T: 0292 1851300

E: Alexander.dodd-jones@dojoservices.co.uk

W: www.lesjonestransport.co.uk

VENUES

Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference centre

T: +44 (0) 1252 532800

E: event-enquiries@farnborough.com

W: www.farnborough.com/ : @farnborough-international-ltd : @Farnborough_Int : @farnborough_int : @farnboroughinternational/ : @farnboroughinternationalex4694

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Falcon Cleaning

The Falcon Nest, Unit 10 & 11, Lower Gower Road, Royston SG8 5EA

E: admin@falconteam.co.uk

W: www.falconteam.co.uk

WATER &

PLUMBING SERVICES

MTD (UK & Ireland) Ltd

Unit 1 Westerngate, Hillmead Enterprise Park, Langley Road, Swindon, SN5 5WN

T: 01264 773 818

E: sales.uk@mtd.net

W: www.mtd.net

T.E.S.S Ltd

W: www.tess-ltd.co.uk

E: info@tess-ltd.co.uk

T: 01332 850 860

Wicked Event Water Services

Kevin: 07909 771996

E: info@wickedeventwaterservices.com

W: www.wews.biz

WIFI, INTERNET & STREAMING

attend2IT

Unit 6-8 Park Farm Industrial Estate, Buntingford

T: 01763 877 477

W: https://attend2it.co.uk/

Fli-Fi Ltd UK Wide

T: 020 3778 0454

E: enquiries@fli-fi.com

W: www.fli-fi.com

SimpliWifi

Unit 13, Leominster Enterprise Park, Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 0LX

T: 0800 298 9434

E: hello@simpliwifi.agency

W: https://simpliwifi.agency

Editor Caroline Clift caroline@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Publication manager

Sarah Bourne sarah@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Account executive

Jen Crisp jen@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Marketing executive

Katie Goldsmith marketing@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Design and production

Neil Hepden

Jemma Heslop

Emma Hickman

Colin Swaffer studio@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Credit control

Janine Walmsley creditcontrol@standoutmagazine.co.uk

Managing director

Neil Fagg neil@standoutmagazine.co.uk T: 01795 509101

CEO John Denning

StandOut Multimedia Limited, 10 The Metford, Evegate Business Park, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent, TN25 6SX T: 01795 509113 www.standoutmagazine.co.uk

Featured in our next issue...

IN CONTROL

Event control experts share best practices and their recipe for what makes the perfect event control room

MAKING MAGIC HAPPEN

Culture Creative’s Zoe Bottrell and Ian Bone on

trail that will raise vital funds for Great

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