If you’re organising an event, the stage is not just “a platform”. It decides sightlines, sound coverage, crowd flow, filming angles, and whether your schedule stays on track.

This guide is written for people who actually need stage hire in the UK, not for people who want to read fluffy event theory. You’ll learn what to book, what’s normally included, what you need to check on site, and how to avoid the usual mistakes that cause delays and extra cost.

Stage Hire

Stage hire usually falls into two buckets:

• Modular staging (build-up decks) for indoor events, marquees, presentations, awards nights, and smaller outdoor setups.
• Mobile and outdoor stages for bigger outdoor events, public shows, sports events, festivals, and anything where weather cover and faster deployment matters.

Beatz Hire can support either, but the right choice depends on your space, your audience size, and what’s happening on the stage.

Price Guide

Stage hire pricing in the UK is based on a few real factors, not guesswork:

• Stage size (width and depth)
• Height (low platform vs raised stage)
• Indoor vs outdoor (and whether you need a roof)
• Access and labour (easy load-in vs tight access, stairs, long carries)
• Add-ons (steps, handrails, skirting, ramp access, barricade line)
• Technical requirements (PA, lighting, screens, power distribution)

If you want a fast quote, send three things:

1. location and event date
2. rough audience size
3. what’s happening on the stage (band, DJ, speakers, awards, etc.)

Popular Sizes

Here’s a simple way to think about size, without getting stuck in measurements:

• Speaker or podium setup: small platform, clean front, easy steps
• DJ setup: enough depth for booth, cable runs, and safe access behind
• Band setup: more depth for drum riser and backline, plus side access
• Awards / corporate: wide stage for sightlines, with steps both sides if needed
• Outdoor show: wider stage with roof option, plus wind and weather planning

If you already have an artist spec, send it over. That’s the quickest way to lock the correct footprint.

What’s Included

With a proper stage hire, you should expect the basics to be handled, not dumped on you last-minute.

Typical inclusions:

• Delivery and collection
• Build and breakdown
• Levelling on site (within reason, depending on ground)
• Stage decking and legs
• Basic safety checks during install

What often catches organisers out is assuming the stage includes everything around it. It does not, unless you book it.

Common extras:

• steps or ramp access
• handrails
• stage skirting
• carpet finish
• cable management
• barricade / pit barrier line
• stage lighting, PA, and power distribution

If you want a single supplier to handle staging plus sound and lighting, say that upfront. It changes how we plan the rig.

30cm High Legs

A low stage height is usually the right call for indoor and marquee events.

30cm is popular because:

• it improves visibility without creating a big fall risk
• it works well under lower ceilings
• it keeps loading and access simple
• it avoids the “performers hit the roof” problem in marquees

If your audience is seated, or you need better sightlines at the back, you might go higher. That decision should be made with the room layout in mind, not just preference.

Installation

Install time depends on size, access, and whether you need extras.

A realistic expectation:

• small to medium modular stages, often built quickly if access is good
• outdoor and covered stages, longer setup because there’s more structure, anchoring, and safety checks

The biggest time-killers are always the same:

• late access to the venue
• blocked loading routes
• soft ground or slopes outdoors
• last-minute size changes because “the band asked for more space”

Lock the stage footprint early and keep the load-in route clear. That’s how you keep build time under control.

Equipment Hire

Most events that book stage hire also need at least one of these:

• PA and microphones for speeches or presentations
• DJ or band sound system
• stage lighting so people can actually see what’s happening
• power distribution and cable ramps
• backstage lighting and basic working light
• comms for crew on larger sites

If you want this to run smoothly, don’t book the stage in isolation and then scramble for the rest. The stage, power, sound, and lighting are one system on the day.

Fabric Skirting

Skirting is the difference between “professional” and “temporary”.

It’s used to:

• hide legs and cable runs
• tidy up photos and video
• make a corporate setup look intentional
• stop guests from storing bags under the stage

If you’re filming the event or you’ve got sponsors, skirting is usually worth it.

Carpet

Carpet is mainly about finish and safety.

It helps if:

• you want a clean look for a corporate setup
• you need a non-slip surface
• you want colour to match branding (where possible)

For outdoor stages, you’ll usually prioritise weather-ready surfaces and safe access, then decide on finish.

All prices are plus VAT

If you’re comparing quotes, check whether VAT is included. People get burned on this constantly.

Stage Hire for Weddings, Corporate & Private Events

Different events need different priorities:

• Weddings: compact stage for band or DJ, tidy finish, safe edges, clean cable runs
• Corporate events: clean sightlines, polished finish, tidy skirting, reliable power, fast changeovers
• Private events: quick install, sensible size, safe access, and enough space to avoid “equipment overflow”

If you tell us the event type and venue, we can steer you away from the usual mistakes before you pay for them.

Equipment Available for Hire

If you want Beatz Hire to cover the wider setup, these are common add-ons:

Power

Generators, distro, cabling, and cable ramps so the event doesn’t rely on a single dodgy wall socket.

Airstream

If you’re running a branded activation or hospitality unit, you need the stage and power plan to work with it, not fight it.

Heaters

Useful for marquees, backstage, or winter events. Also affects power planning.

Refrigeration

If your event includes bars, catering, or vendor zones, refrigeration is a core part of keeping the site working.

Lighting

From stage wash lighting to feature lighting around the space. This is often what makes the whole event feel “finished”.

Stage

Modular staging, outdoor stages, covered stages, and stage accessories based on the event requirements.

Fires

If you mean controlled effects or heaters, it needs to be planned properly with safety, permissions, and spacing. Don’t wing this.

What Our Customers Say

The review that matters is not “great service”. It’s whether the supplier:

• turns up on time
• builds safely
• fixes problems fast
• doesn’t disappear when weather turns
• keeps your schedule intact

That’s the standard you should hold any stage hire company to.

Common Questions

How early should I book stage hire in the UK?
If you’re aiming for summer weekends, book early. Peak season gets tight fast, especially for outdoor and covered stages.

Do you provide setup and breakdown?
Yes. A stage should be installed by people who do it properly, not handed over as a pile of parts.

What information do you need to quote?
Date, location, event type, audience size, stage use (band, DJ, speakers), and any venue access restrictions.

Can you supply sound and lighting too?
Yes. If you want one supplier handling staging plus production, say so. It changes the plan and usually makes the day simpler.

What about wind and weather for outdoor stages?
Outdoor stages need proper planning. Site conditions, anchoring, wind loading, and safe access all matter. If someone shrugs this off, avoid them.

Ready to Book Stage Hire?

If you want stage hire that’s delivered, built, and supported properly, send your event details and we’ll recommend the right stage size and setup for your site.

Include:

• event date and location
• rough audience size
• what’s happening on the stage
• indoor or outdoor
• any known access notes (stairs, narrow lanes, limited load-in times)

If you paste that into your enquiry, you’ll get a useful quote, not a back-and-forth mess.