Premium furniture & tableware hire, customer focused, for all types of events.

  • 01666 577500
  • catering@richardsoneventhire.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

If you can’t find the answer to your question here please do get in touch! You can call us on 01666 577500 or email us on catering@richardsoneventhire.co.uk

Planning & Booking (The Beginning)

Yes. We welcome you to visit our Bristol showroom to view our range. Please get in touch to schedule an appointment.

We strongly advise booking at least two weeks in advance as a minimum to avoid disappointment. While we always try our hardest to assist with last-minute requests, availability depends on stock levels and our existing delivery schedule. 

We don’t have a minimum spend, so you’re welcome to order exactly what you need. Please note that our delivery fees are calculated based on order volume and mileage; for smaller orders, the transport charge is structured to cover these essential logistical costs. 

We offer nationwide delivery. Rates are based on order volume and distance. For large orders, we offer highly cost-effective rates and are happy to review or subsidise transport charges to provide the best possible value. 

To secure your booking, we require a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is due 14 days prior to delivery. Payment can be made via BACS or via a secure payment link. Full payment is required prior to dispatch. 

Delivery & The Event (During the Hire)

Standard Times: Deliveries and collections are made between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. 

Timed Deliveries: While specific timings cannot be guaranteed, please let us know if you have a specific requirement and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

Weekends & Bank Holidays: Deliveries outside of standard hours are available for an additional charge; please specify this when requesting your quotation. 

Hire Period: Our standard prices are based on a 1–4 day hire. Extended hire periods are available upon request. 

Our drivers will deliver to your specified address on your chosen date and check through the order with you to ensure everything is correct. 

  • Crockery, Cutlery & Glassware: Delivered in protective crates. 
  • Furniture: Delivered stacked. 
  • Linen: Delivered in bags. 

Reductions: Can be made up to 14 days prior to delivery. 

Additions: Can be made up to 5 days before your hire (subject to availability). 

Cancellations: All cancellations must be confirmed in writing. Depending on the notice given, if it is more than 14 days before the event you can receive a credit (not a refund) to spend with us on a future event. 

Returns & Post-Event (After the Order)

Tableware: Our ‘deliver clean, return dirty’ policy is free of charge for all cutlery, crockery, and glassware. We only ask that items are returned free of food debris and placed back in their original delivery crates. 

Catering equipment; ovens, griddles, BBQ’s etc do need to be returned to us free of any food, fat, grease etc. and then we will clean and steam the machines again before going out on hire.  If you really don’t fancy the idea of cleaning the day after your event, then don’t! We will collect it and completely clean the piece of equipment for you for just a small fee (£45 per unit). 

 Upon return to our warehouse, your order will be counted and checked by our team, we will email you to notify you of any missing items or anything that has been returned to us damaged. If you are unable to find any of the missing equipment we then raise an invoice at the current replacement cost. 

Crockery

  • Plates: Dinner, side, starter, and pasta plates
  • Bowls: Soup, dessert, and cereal bowls.
  • Beverage: Tea cups, saucers, mugs, milk jugs, and sugar bowls.
  • Specialty: Platters, sauce boats, and decorative charger plates.

We stock full, cohesive ranges (such as our Classic White, Fine White, or Modern Stoneware collections) so your entire table setting—from the first course to the final coffee—looks perfectly uniform and professional.

You are welcome to create a bespoke look. Many clients choose a classic range for the main course and “mix and match” by adding a pop of color or a different texture for the starter or dessert plates to make the setting stand out.

We are fully equipped for large-scale events. We stock thousands of items in our most popular ranges to ensure consistency for hundreds of guests. Our items are typically supplied in crates for easy transport, and we even offer a “dirty return” wash-up service for large orders!

Cutlery

We provide everything you need for a full table setting, including table knives and forks, dessert spoons, soup spoons, teaspoons, and even specialty items like steak knives or fish cutlery.

All of our cutlery is professionally cleaned, sanitized, and polished before being bagged and put into crates. It arrives ready to be placed straight onto your tables.

Absolutely. While most clients prefer a uniform look, you can certainly mix styles—such as pairing our Harley with our Verdi dessert forks—to suit your event’s specific aesthetic.

Glassware

Yes. We can provide a classic three-piece arrangement for your tables, typically consisting of a red wine glass, a white wine glass, and a matching water glass or tumbler to ensure your guests have everything they need for the meal.

For fine dining, we recommend our premium stemware ranges, such as the Reserva. These glasses offer a more elegant silhouette and thinner glass, which enhances the presentation of high-quality wines and provides a more sophisticated experience for your guests.

Yes. We stock several cohesive glassware ranges (including the Savoie and Reserva collections) so that your wine glasses, champagne flutes, and water glasses all match perfectly in style and quality.

Furniture

Yes. We provide a variety of matching sets, from traditional banqueting tables and Cheltenham chairs to rustic trestle tables and cross-back chairs, ensuring a seamless look for your venue.

Yes. We specialize in large-scale events and hold a vast inventory of tables and seating to accommodate hundreds (or even thousands) of guests with consistent style and quality.

Yes. We offer a full range of high-quality linen, including tablecloths in various shapes and sizes, napkins, and runners, available in a wide array of colors to match your theme.

Our wooden dancefloors are designed primarily for indoor use. They are ideal for hotels, halls, or inside a fully waterproof marquee that has a flat, solid subfloor.

Because moisture can cause real wood to warp or become dangerously slippery, they are not suitable for use directly on grass or in uncovered outdoor areas. If you are planning an outdoor event, we recommend ensuring the floor is placed on a level, dry surface under a protective cover.

A good rule of thumb is that 30% to 50% of your guests will be on the floor at any one time. We generally recommend approximately 5 Square feet of space per dancing guest to ensure everyone has room to move comfortably.

Linen

We carry a wide range of sizes to fit standard 6ft trestle tables, as well as 3ft to 7ft round tables. We offer both “lap-length” and “floor-length” options to suit the formality of your event.

Please do not attempt to wash or treat stains yourself, as professional chemicals are required. While standard cleaning is included, a replacement fee may apply for permanent damage, such as heavy mold, candle wax saturation, or cigarette burns.

 Your linen is delivered professionally pressed. To ensure it looks its best, we recommend hanging or laying the cloths on your tables as soon as they arrive to allow any minor transit creases to naturally drop out.

 Yes! While crisp white and elegant ivory are our most popular choices, we stock a curated selection of colors and textured linens to match your theme. Contact us for our current color palette and matching napkin options.

Kitchen Equipment

Yes. Electrical products are regularly PAT-tested, and LPG-powered items are tested for safety.

We can help estimate required items based on guest count and menu type (e.g., buffets, seated meals)

Some of the most in-demand kitchen appliances for event catering include turbo ovens, deep fat fryers, griddles, and commercial microwaves. These are ideal for large-scale food preparation and versatile menu execution. Gas burner cookers and electric hobs are also regularly hired for mobile kitchens or additional cook lines in professional venues

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Bar & Table Service

Absolutely. Many clients hire our glass drink dispensers, water jugs, and thermal flasks to set up self-service stations for cocktails, infused waters, or hot beverages. These are perfect for more relaxed events or welcome drinks.

We offer various cooling solutions, from insulated beverage tubs for bottled drinks to refrigerated trailers for larger events. For table service, our double-walled wine coolers and ice buckets are perfect for keeping white wine and champagne at the ideal temperature.

Yes. We supply everything from practical essentials like steel beverage tubs, ice buckets, and tongs to elegant presentation pieces such as champagne bowls and wine bucket stands. We also stock non-slip bar trays to help your staff serve safely