The Big Event Infrastructure Series – Part 2
Temporary Structures vs Permanent Venues – What’s Right for Your Event?
When you’re tasked with delivering a large-scale event, whether it’s a corporate activation, a public festival, or a council-led gathering, one of the first decisions you’ll face is deceptively simple: Do you host it in a permanent venue or build it from the ground up with temporary infrastructure?
For many event professionals across Scotland and the north of England, the default used to be hotels, town halls, sports centres, or rented buildings. But increasingly, we’re seeing a shift. More planners are turning to temporary event structures, not just as a cost-effective option, but as a way to own the space, shape the experience, and meet the unique demands of modern audiences.
At Purvis Marquee Hire, we’ve helped clients make this decision for over 40 years. We’ve built everything from minimalist reception marquees to fully branded hospitality complexes with flooring, power, and multi-room layouts, all constructed on-site, often on tough terrain and tighter schedules.
So, here’s our honest breakdown of when to choose temporary over permanent, and how to make the most of either.
Temporary Structures: Designed Around Your Event, Not the Other Way Around
One of the biggest advantages of a temporary marquee is this: you don’t need to make your event fit the venue, you make the venue fit the event.
Whether you’re launching a product in Stirling, hosting a public exhibition in Carlisle, or supporting a community show in Argyll, a temporary structure gives you:
Flexibility of size and shape
Want a 20m clearspan? Need break-out areas, open-air sides, or a bespoke AV set-up? No problem — we’ll build around your needs.
Control over branding and layout
You can cover the exterior in sponsor logos, theme the interior, control traffic flow, and build a space that feels wholly yours.
Freedom of location
You’re not tied to city centres or hired halls. Fields, estates, showgrounds, car parks, if there’s access and flat(ish) ground, we can build.
Full control of logistics and compliance
From method statements to build schedules, your infrastructure is documented, approved, and built under your rules, not a venue’s policies.
Permanent Venues: Convenience Comes With Constraints
Of course, traditional venues still have their place, especially for smaller events, or those with fixed AV, catering or accessibility requirements already in place. But here’s where permanent venues can limit large-scale event potential:
Fixed capacity and layouts
You get what you’re given. Expanding space or redesigning the floor plan? Not happening.
Location limitations
Rural or regional audiences might need to travel, and transport links aren’t always ideal.
Scheduling restrictions
Popular venues are booked up early. You might get pushed into off-peak dates or awkward midweek slots.
Brand dilution
That hotel ballroom has seen a hundred events this year, yours won’t stand out.
If your event needs impact, flexibility, or scale, it’s worth exploring a structure that gives you more creative control.
Hybrid Approach? Yes, You Can
Sometimes the best answer is a blend. We’ve supported clients who:
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Held a conference in a hotel but used an outdoor marquee for reception, catering, or exhibitor space.
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Partnered with a heritage venue and used temporary structures to expand capacity or meet accessibility requirements.
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Created temporary “pavilions” alongside permanent venues for breakout sessions or VIP lounges.
The point is, infrastructure doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can use it to enhance, extend, or completely reimagine the experience.
When to Choose a Temporary Event Structure
Choose a temporary marquee or event structure when:
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You want full control of layout, branding and guest experience
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Your event is outdoors or on a site without indoor capacity
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You’re targeting high footfall in a place that doesn’t have a built venue
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You need to scale up (or down) depending on audience or sponsorship
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You’re planning something special and want it to look and feel unique
And yes, choose it when you’re working in Scotland or northern England, where weather, location and layout really do matter. We’ve delivered structures on castle lawns, showgrounds, islands, football pitches, and city centres. If you’ve got the vision, we’ve got the experience to build it.
Talk to Us Before You Book the Ballroom
Still weighing up the options? We’re happy to talk through your event goals and help you explore what’s possible, without pressure or assumptions.
At Purvis Marquee Hire, we don’t just supply structures. We help you build an event from the ground up, with compliance, confidence and creative freedom.
