HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

How to hire an event backdrop in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Backdrop hire needs no licence in the UK. Below: what to check first, what to ask and what belongs on the quote.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring an event backdrop in five steps

  1. Ask the venue about fabricsMany want a flame-retardant certificate for drapes.
  2. Measure the spaceWidth and ceiling height for the backdrop.
  3. Check fixing rulesNo nails or tape where the venue forbids them.
  4. Agree set-up and removal timesWith the venue.
  5. Ask for insuranceMost venues want it.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

Working as an event backdrop needs no licence, registration or qualification in any part of the UK. The venue's rules on fabrics and fixings decide what a backdrop firm can put up.

Check two recent reviews or references for the event backdrop, then ask for the contract.

Public liability insurance for the event backdrop

Insurance is not a legal requirement here; it is the venue that usually decides how much public liability cover a supplier must carry. Venues often ask the backdrop firm for cover before it rigs anything.

Check the event backdrop's certificate covers the event date and at least the venue's figure.

Trader status and cancellation terms

Paying a business for event backdrop makes it a contract with a trader, so the Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes reasonable care and skill part of the deal. Do not count on a 14-day cooling-off period: regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 excludes catering and leisure services booked for a set date from the cancellation right, so the event backdrop's own written terms usually decide what happens to your deposit.

Ask the event backdrop for the booking terms in writing and check the refund rules for cancelling and postponing. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Hiring a backdrop or drapes, with the fitting, is standard-rated at 20%. Backdrop and drapery hire firms over the £90,000 registration threshold have to charge VAT and list it separately from the price.

Ask the hire firm for its VAT number and see that VAT at 20% is listed under the hire and fitting figures. gov.uk →

“Are your drapes flame-retardant, and do you have the certificate?”

A good answer: Yes, a certificate the backdrop firm can send the venue.

“How will the backdrop be fixed?”

A good answer: Free-standing pipe and drape, or fixings the venue has approved.

“What size backdrop do we need?”

A good answer: Advice from the backdrop firm after measuring.

“Is lighting behind the drapes included?”

A good answer: Priced separately if not.

“How long does rigging take?”

A good answer: A time that fits the venue's access.

“Is the backdrop firm insured?”

A good answer: Public liability cover named.

“When do you take it down?”

A good answer: Times in writing.

Getting the quote right

  • Backdrop or drape size and style
  • Frame, fixings and any ceiling draping
  • Lighting, if included
  • Set-up and removal times
  • Deposit and cancellation terms
  • The drapery firm's VAT number, and VAT on its own line under the hire charge
  • Who actually attends to rig and strike the drapes, and whether that crew is employed or subcontracted

Walk away if

  • No flame-retardant certificate when the venue asks
  • Plans to fix to walls the venue forbids
  • No set-up time agreed
  • No insurance certificate
LOW
£100
TYPICAL
£200
HIGH
£320

What an event backdrop costs: £100–£320 per event

Backdrop and drapery hire is priced per event by size and style, with ceiling draping, lighting and rigging time adding to it. Backdrop & Drapery Hire price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Backdrop and drapery hire firms near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. MeasureThe backdrop firm checks the space and venue rules.
  2. RigFrame or fixings placed, fabric hung.
  3. DressLighting and finishing touches.
  4. EventBackdrop in use; kept clear of candles.
  5. RemovalTaken down at the agreed time.

Pipe and drape
A free-standing frame with fabric hung from it.
Flame-retardant
Fabric treated or made to resist catching fire.
Ceiling draping
Fabric swags across the ceiling.
Sequin wall
A backdrop of sequin panels.
Flower wall
A backdrop covered in artificial or real flowers.
Rigging
Hanging or fixing the backdrop.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the bookingIt records the backdrop and times.
Check walls and ceilingsMarks from fixings raised quickly.
Confirm collectionEverything removed as agreed.
Leave the reviewRate the backdrop firm once the event is over — reviews on Locufy are limited to booked jobs. If something went wrong, the make-it-right step comes first: the backdrop firm is asked to put it right before the review goes live.

STEP 1Put it to the event backdrop in writingSend the event backdrop a short written account — a late set-up, the wrong backdrop, damage to the venue — with the remedy you want. Reasonable care and skill is an implied term of the booking under section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015; a service that cannot be done again can be compensated by a price reduction.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the event backdrop below four stars and you are asked whether to send the problem to them first; we follow it through, then your review is published.
STEP 3Getting Trading Standards involvedThere is no ombudsman or regulator for backdrop and drapery hire firms. If the trader will not engage, Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) covers England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) covers Scotland, and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) covers Northern Ireland; each can pass a complaint about backdrop and drapery hire firms to Trading Standards.
STEP 4Money the event backdrop will not returnIf the event backdrop still will not pay, you can claim yourself: up to £10,000 on the small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in the sheriff court in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring an event backdrop: questions people ask

None applies anywhere in the UK. The protection is the written hire agreement for the event backdrop, backed by the firm's public liability cover.

No law requires it, but most venues ask suppliers for public liability cover. Ask your venue for its figure, then ask for the certificate covering the event backdrop.

£100 to £320 per event, typically around £200. The backdrop & drapery hire price guide breaks the range down, and the search above lists backdrop and drapery hire firms in your area.

Venues often require it and ask for a certificate; check with yours.

Only with the venue's agreement and approved fixings.

Keep naked flames well away from fabric; many venues ban them.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in events & entertainment

How to hire: Event DecoratorHow to hire: Event Lighting HireHow to hire: Photo Booth HireHow to hire: Balloon DecorationHow to hire: Furniture Hire for EventsHow to hire: Chair Cover HireHow to hire: Stage HireHow to hire: Wedding FloristAll 701 hiring guides →

Backdrop and drapery hire firms near you

Backdrop and drapery hire firms in LondonBackdrop and drapery hire firms in ManchesterBackdrop and drapery hire firms in BirminghamBackdrop and drapery hire firms in GlasgowBackdrop and drapery hire firms in BelfastAll backdrop and drapery hire firms on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts the cancellation right does not cover
  2. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  3. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  4. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  5. nidirect — small claims process
  6. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue (England)
  7. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  8. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register