The most common query we receive from October onwards stems around the viability of using a marquee in the winter months. While the appeal of a hosting an outdoor event during the colder weather may drop, under most circumstances a marquee is still a perfect venue solution.
This article overviews the factors that give cause for concern when using a marquee in winter and how we overcome these. For clarity, these points are specific to a temporary framed marquee opposed to fixed location marquees which often benefit from more substantial construction.
Heating – is a marquee warm enough in winter?
Through the use of indirect heaters, the temperature of the marquee can be raised well above the external environment. Developments in marquee thermostat technology mean you can easily control and manage the internal temperature, much like you would in a home or function room. No need to panic over guests viewing their breath, or the buffet turning flat cold shortly after serving.
What if it rains – will the marquee leak?
The most significant cause for concern with a winter marquee is whether the rain will leak in. While no marquee can claim to be 100% waterproof, it is scarce for a heavy-duty PVC tent to suffer leakages. Our marquees have several advantages for rain protection, including seam sealing, velcro, zip and dutch lace fastenings to form a durable, rain and wind repellent structure.
Would a marquee blow over in gusty conditions?
Unpredictable winds provide a headache for event planners in winter. A well-anchored marquee can withstand conditions up to 40-50mph winds. Circumstances beyond this would pose a definite hazard and require a health and safety audit to be carried out to determine if it’s safe to proceed with a marquee. Please see our article on protecting a marquee in high winds for further information.
Is it OK to lay marquee flooring above wet grass?
It’s not advisable to lay carpet or matting directly onto wet grass without an intermediary hard surface. This allows the water to run underneath while keeping the upper surface dry. In short, if the surface is already wet this wouldn’t prevent the installation of a marquee, just a different approach.
Here are some other considerations when it comes to planning a winter marquee;
Toilets
Incorporate a toilet block that is connected to the marquee to help guests avoid going in and out and experiencing the elements. For events using the facilities of a nearby building; a home, pub or hotel, for example, ensure there is a connected walkway.
Umbrellas
Always handy to have a communal supply of umbrellas ready for use should guests need to pop out of the marquee for whatever reason. If the marquee is in the middle of a field, then wellies are a good idea also.
Backup Power
The last thing you need in winter is for the electricity to go out or the heating to go off. While a rarity, it sometimes pays to have a backup to rely on than nothing at all.
Plan B
If extreme bad weather is forecasted closer to the time of the event, you may have to consider cancelling or postponing. In these cases, it’s good to have a contingency venue in mind that would allow a short notice booking to be placed. As they say, the show must go on.
Title photo by Toni Lluch
Wet grass photo by Jacob Bowman
