A company summer party is one of the best ways to bring your team together, celebrate achievements and build morale in a relaxed setting. But planning an outdoor corporate event in the UK means thinking carefully about the space you need, how you’ll feed your guests and what happens if the weather turns. The good news? With the right event tent hire and a solid plan in place, you can host a corporate summer party that runs smoothly no matter what the British skies have in store.
At Prickly Pear Stretch Tents, we have years of experience helping businesses across Bristol, Bath, the Cotswolds and the wider South West create stunning outdoor events. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to consider when planning your company summer party, from choosing the right tent and designing your layout to organising catering and preparing for wet weather.
Why a Stretch Tent Is Ideal for Your Corporate Summer Party
When it comes to event marquee hire, not all structures are created equal. Traditional pole marquees and frame tents certainly have their place, but stretch tents offer something a little different. Their organic, flowing shape creates a visually striking centrepiece for any outdoor corporate party, giving your event an elevated, contemporary feel that stands out from the usual corporate party venue.
Our modular stretch tents are imported from a leading supplier in South Africa and are designed to be incredibly versatile. They can be configured to suit virtually any outdoor space, whether you are working with a manicured lawn, a courtyard or a larger open field. Because they are modular, we can connect multiple tents together for larger company summer party ideas, or keep things intimate with a single canopy for a smaller team gathering.
Stretch tents also offer excellent weather resistance. The fabric is waterproof and UV-resistant, and the flexible design means the tent can be adjusted on site to provide shelter exactly where you need it. For an outdoor summer party, this combination of style and practicality is hard to beat.
Planning the Perfect Outdoor Corporate Event Layout
Getting the layout right is one of the most important aspects of any corporate event hire. A well-planned layout ensures your guests can move freely, socialise comfortably and enjoy every element of the event without feeling cramped or confused about where to go.
Determining the Right Tent Size
The first step is working out how much space you need. As a general rule, you should allow around 1 to 1.5 square metres per person for a standing reception and closer to 2 square metres per person if you are planning a seated dinner. If your event includes a dance floor, a stage for speeches or entertainment, or separate activity zones, you will need to factor in additional space for these elements as well.
Our expert design team can help you determine the ideal tent size based on your guest count, event format and the features you would like to include. We will work with you to find a configuration that makes the most of your chosen site while keeping guests comfortable throughout the day or evening.
Creating Zones for Guest Flow and Comfort
One of the best company summer party ideas is to create distinct zones within your tented space. Rather than having one large open area, consider dividing the layout into sections that serve different purposes. You might have a welcome and drinks reception area near the entrance, a main dining zone in the centre, a bar or refreshments station to one side and a more relaxed lounge area with softer seating for those who want to unwind.
For larger outdoor corporate events, you might also want to include an activity area for team-building games, lawn sports or entertainment. Stretch tents work beautifully for this kind of zoned layout because the sides can be raised or lowered to create natural boundaries between different spaces while still maintaining an open, airy atmosphere.
Site Planning and Tent Placement
Where you position your tent on site makes a real difference to the overall experience. Think about access routes for your guests, proximity to parking and any existing buildings, and the direction of prevailing winds. You will also want to consider the surface you are working with. Stretch tents can be set up on grass, gravel or harder surfaces, and our installation team will assess the ground conditions to ensure everything is securely anchored.
If your chosen site is near trees or hedgerows, these can provide natural windbreaks and shade. Positioning the tent to take advantage of any existing landscape features can enhance both the comfort and the look of your event.
Catering Setup for an Outdoor Corporate Party
Food and drink are always at the heart of a great company summer party, so your catering setup deserves careful thought. Whether you are planning a formal sit-down dinner, a relaxed BBQ or a street food festival with multiple vendors, the way you integrate catering into your tent layout will have a big impact on how the event flows.
Designing Your Dining and Serving Areas
For a seated dinner, you will need to plan table arrangements that allow waiting staff to move easily between tables while giving guests enough room to sit comfortably. Round tables typically work well for encouraging conversation, while long trestle tables create a more communal, festival-style dining experience.
If you are opting for a buffet or food station setup, position the serving area where it is easily accessible but does not create a bottleneck near the entrance. It is often best to place food stations along one side of the tent or in a dedicated area that guests can approach from multiple directions. This keeps the flow of people moving naturally and prevents queues from blocking walkways.
Practical Considerations for Outdoor Catering
Serving food at an outdoor event comes with some additional considerations. If you are using external caterers, make sure they have access to a suitable preparation area and power supply. You should also ensure that food hygiene standards are maintained, particularly in warmer weather when perishable items need careful temperature management. The UK Government’s guidance on food safety at events provides helpful advice on keeping guests safe during hot weather, including reminders about adequate drinking water and shade.
Our stretch tents can accommodate separate preparation or back-of-house areas if needed. We can also provide optional accessories such as flooring, which is particularly useful in catering zones to create a clean, level surface for staff and guests.
Wet-Weather Planning for Your Summer Event Hire
Let’s be honest, planning an outdoor summer party in the UK always involves a conversation about rain. The best approach is not to hope for sunshine but to plan for every eventuality. With the right wet-weather strategy, a bit of rain will not dampen your event.
Waterproofing and Shelter
The most obvious line of defence is your tent itself. Our stretch tents are fully waterproof, so your guests will stay dry even in a sustained downpour. The fabric naturally channels water away, and the flexible rigging allows us to adjust the pitch and angle of the tent to direct rainwater where you want it to go, away from entrances and gathering areas.
For events where guests will be moving between different zones or between the tent and other facilities, consider covered walkways or additional smaller canopies to keep everyone sheltered during transitions. This is especially important for corporate events where guests may be dressed smartly and will not want to get caught in a downpour between the car park and the main tent.
Flooring and Ground Protection
Rain and grass do not always mix well, especially when dozens or hundreds of guests are walking across the same area. Adding flooring inside your tent is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect against muddy conditions. We offer a range of event hire accessories including flooring options that create a clean, stable surface regardless of what is happening underfoot.
Outside the tent, you might want to lay matting or trackway along key paths to prevent churned-up grass and keep access routes safe and presentable.
Wind and Temperature Management
British summer weather is not just about rain. Wind and temperature fluctuations can also affect guest comfort. Stretch tents are inherently wind-resistant due to their aerodynamic shape, but it is still worth considering the positioning of open sides relative to the prevailing wind direction. On cooler evenings, we can provide heating to keep the space comfortable, and on warmer days, the open sides of a stretch tent allow for excellent natural ventilation.
The Health and Safety Executive’s event safety guidance is a useful resource for anyone organising an outdoor event, covering practical advice on managing weather-related risks and keeping attendees safe.
Having a Backup Plan
Even with a fully waterproof tent and all the accessories in place, it is worth having a contingency plan for truly extreme weather. This might mean identifying an indoor space that could accommodate your party at short notice, or simply having a clear communication plan so your team knows what to do if conditions deteriorate. For most summer events, a well-equipped stretch tent will handle anything the weather throws at it, but a backup plan gives you and your guests complete peace of mind.
Adding the Finishing Touches to Your Outdoor Event Shelter
The details are what transform a tented space from functional to truly memorable. Lighting, in particular, plays a huge role in setting the mood for an evening corporate summer party. Festoon lights and fairy lights are perennial favourites that create a warm, welcoming glow as the sun goes down. We offer a range of lighting options as part of our event packages, and our design team can advise on the best setup for your space.
Other finishing touches might include branded signage to reinforce your company identity, comfortable furniture for lounge areas, and carefully chosen table settings for dining zones. If you are looking for inspiration, our gallery showcases a range of events we have worked on, from intimate private parties to large-scale celebrations.
How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Corporate Event Tent Hire?
Summer is our busiest season, and the best dates tend to get booked up quickly. We would recommend getting in touch as early as possible, ideally several months in advance, to secure your preferred date and give us plenty of time to plan the perfect setup for your outdoor corporate event. Early booking also gives you more time to coordinate with caterers, entertainment providers and other suppliers.
Frequently Asked Questions
This depends on the number of guests and the format of your event. For a standing reception, allow around 1 to 1.5 square metres per person. For seated dining, allow around 2 square metres per person, plus additional space for any entertainment, dance floors or activity areas.
Our stretch tents can be installed on a wide range of surfaces including grass, gravel and harder ground. Our team will assess your site in advance to determine the best anchoring method and ensure a safe, secure installation.
Our stretch tents are fully waterproof, so rain will not be a problem. The fabric channels water away from guest areas, and we can add flooring and covered walkways to keep everyone comfortable and dry throughout.
Yes, we offer a range of optional accessories including festoon and fairy lighting, heating and flooring. Our design team will work with you to select the right additions for your event.
We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for summer events when demand is highest. Getting in touch several months ahead will give you the best choice of dates and allow plenty of time for planning.
Absolutely. Our modular stretch tents can be connected to create larger covered spaces, and we can help you design a layout that includes separate dining, socialising, entertainment and catering zones.
Ready to Start Planning Your Company Summer Party?
If you are thinking about hosting an outdoor corporate event this summer, we would love to help you bring it to life. Whether you need advice on tent sizes, layout design or wet-weather planning, our friendly team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your event and secure your date. You can reach us by email at info@pricklypearstretchtents.co.uk or visit our contact us page to send us an enquiry. We look forward to helping you create a summer party your team will not forget.
