As Valentine’s Day approaches on the 14th February 2025, Event Hire UK is not only celebrating the season of love but also marking a significant milestone: 20 years of dedicated service in the event hire industry. From our modest beginnings to becoming a leader in the event furniture hire sector nationwide, the company’s journey is a testament to resilience, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence in an industry that has undoubtedly changed over that time.
In 2005, Event Furniture Ltd was established in Walsall, operating from a single depot with just one vehicle and two staff members. The initial focus was solely on furniture hire, and the company achieved a turnover of £200,000 in its first year. Early clients included prestigious events such as the Royal International Air Tattoo and the International Wine Fair.
By 2007, the company had outgrown its original premises and moved to a larger facility, again in Walsall. This move facilitated significant investments in crockery, cutlery and glassware, broadening the product range. Despite the challenging economic climate of 2008, Event Hire UK experienced double-digit growth, underscoring its robust business model.
In 2009, the company expanded its footprint by opening an 8,500 sq ft distribution centre in West London, aiming to better serve clients in the City of London and the South East. Iconic venues such as the Tower of London, Old Billingsgate Market and the Natural History Museum became part of the client portfolio. Additionally, operations commenced in Bradford with an 8,000 sq ft facility, tapping into markets in the North of England. This period also saw major investments in powered catering equipment, further enhancing service offerings.
The year 2010 marked a significant milestone as the company’s turnover reached £1 million. This achievement was complemented by winning the Event Hire Association’s “Event Hire Company of the Year” award, reflecting industry recognition of the company’s excellence. As well as continuing to expand the product range, the company also launched into the world of trade shows and exhibitions, starting to supply shows in London and at the NEC in Birmingham. The London distribution centre also expanded to 17,000 sq ft, accommodating the ever-growing demand in the region.
In 2013, the acquisition of Jongor Birmingham bolstered the company’s presence in the Midlands. The same year, Event Hire UK was once again honoured with the EHA’s “Event Hire Company of the Year” award. The momentum continued in 2015, with the London distribution centre expanding further to 22,000 sq ft, reflecting the increasing volume of business in the capital.
The Walsall distribution centre doubled its warehousing space in 2016 by acquiring an adjacent facility, enhancing operational capacity. Then in 2017, a 6,000 sq ft distribution centre was opened in Manchester to serve the North West region. The addition of new headquarters personnel in 2018 propelled the company into the sports hospitality and music festival sectors, securing clients such as the Cheltenham Festival, The Open Golf Championship, and Creamfields Festival. This diversification contributed to continued double-digit growth.
By 2019, the Manchester distribution centre had expanded to 14,000 sq ft, and company turnover reached £5 million, marking another significant milestone.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, with the live events sector – like many – being hit hard. Careful management ensured that the company survived, and had a future to look forward to, unlike many of our competitors who unfortunately fell by the wayside.
Buoyed by the thirst of the public for a return to live events, the company returned to normal operations. The eventhireGroup was created, with the objective of combining resources of all group companies to enhance the overall offering to our clients. The company scooped the ‘Best Backstage / VIP Supplier’ at the Festival Supplier Awards 2022. Then, in 2023, the Bradford team related to a brand-new facility, doubling warehouse storage for the North region.
Today, Event Hire UK is a leader in the event furniture hire sector in this country, servicing clients nationwide via our regional hubs in London, Manchester, Bradford and – of course – Walsall. With over 650 product lines of event furniture, crockery, cutlery, catering equipment and much more, we have the most extensive range of any event equipment hire company in the UK. And, with over 50,000 chairs, 100,000 glasses, 250 catering ovens, and 200,000 items of cutlery and crockery, we’re pretty confident of being able to service any event, anytime, anywhere.
As Event Hire UK celebrates its 20th anniversary on February 14, 2025, the company reflects on a journey marked by growth, challenges and countless memorable events. From its humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the event hire industry, the company’s success is a testament to the dedication of its team and the trust of its clients.
Therefore, on Event Hire UK’s 20th birthday – which nicely coincides with Valentine’s Day – Event Hire UK extends heartfelt gratitude to all who have been part of this journey. We’ve had the pleasure of supplying some of the most prestigious and iconic occasions in the UK live events calendar, and had the privilege of working alongside awesome professionals in the events sector – you know who you are, so thank you…
So, here’s to spreading the love and continuing the pursuit of excellence for many more years to come.
