Marquees for Groundswell Festival (July 2025)
Client: Groundswell Festival
Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire
Solution Provider: Complete Structures
Scope: 85 pagodas and 45 A-frame temporary buildings; team of up to 25 engineers; erected in 5 working days; dismantled and site cleared in 4 working days
Overview
The annual Groundswell agricultural show attracts around 10,000 visitors over two days. Organisers required robust, modular accommodation for 350 exhibitors, in the form of pagodas and A-frame buildings, that could be installed quickly, fully comply with regulations, and withstand all weather conditions.
Project Objectives
- Provide comfortable, weather‑proof accommodation for 350 exhibitors
- Complete erection and removal within the festival’s tight schedule
- Meet all health, safety and festival inspection requirements
- Minimise disruption to the show and its visitors
Key Challenges
- Large Build in Live Environment: Limited staging space at a busy festival site
- Strict Inspections: Every structure subject to rigorous quality and safety checks
- Bullet‑proof Schedule: Build, event and teardown all on consecutive days
Solution
Complete Structures deployed a crew of 25 fully‑qualified engineers. Using our modular pagoda and A‑frame systems, the team erected 130 units in 5 working days. After the festival, the same crew dismantled every structure and cleared the site in 4 days, leaving the venue spotless and fully compliant.
Results
- Fast Turnaround: Build in 5 days; teardown in 4 days
- 100% Compliance: Met all health, safety and festival inspection standards
- Zero Disruption: Smooth logistics and no impact on visitor experience
- Scalable Solution: Easily adjusted layout to suit exhibitor numbers
Client Testimonial
“The professionalism shown by the Complete Structures team was second to none. Many exhibitors commented on the quality of the temporary accommodation provided— we’ll see them again next year.”
— Groundswell Festival, 2025
Conclusion
Complete Structures delivered a turnkey, modular accommodation package that met the Groundswell Festival’s exacting standards for speed, quality and safety—ensuring a seamless experience for organisers, exhibitors and visitors.