Buying a gazebo or tent for your market stall is a big expense. AND there are so many to choose from. But don’t be fooled, not all of them are as sturdy as they look. For over 15 years, we’ve tried them all and most have come up short… We are going to give you an short and easy overview of what we consider to be the best on the market, so you don’t have to waste your money on flimsy structures that will bend out of shape at the slightest puff of wind. So let’s look at them in more detail…
Minimum Requirements
The money spent on a gazebo is a significant expense when you are a small business. As an inexperienced market trader – back in the day, I arrived at a Sunday market in Bourton on the Water in Gloucestershire with only my stock. I didn’t realise that I had to bring a table and some sort of covering. Luckily for me, it was a lovely day and there was a spare table available. So, I stood out in the very hot sun selling my wares. Soon it became clear that I may get sunstroke and my stock was melting! The market itself happened to be outside a camping shop, so under the advice from fellow traders, I went and bought myself a gazebo. It cost £40. That gazebo lasted about 3 markets. The wind got under it and bent it so badly that it no longer folded back into itself and it had to be thrown away. That was Lesson No 1.
Strength
You may seriously underestimate the strength that your gazebo frame needs to be. You are in effect erecting a sail for the wind to blow against. So it needs to be strong, particularly when the wind is gusty. The stronger the gazebo, the heavier it is, but…
Weight
A heavy gazebo usually equals a strong gazebo but you need to carry, erect and transport it and sometimes they are a little too heavy. So finding the happy medium for your personal circumstances is where we need to be. Not only do you need to consider the structure itself, but also the peripherals that go with a gazebo. Like side sheets to protect from the elements and leg weights (x 4). Deciding whether to bring weights and side sheets will depend on the weather forecast and often you won’t need to bring it all with you. The weight of a decent gazebo should be at least 25kg.
Covering
The gazebo covering is usually made out of PVC. They are sometimes called weather proof, water proof or fire retardant If you are a hot food seller, a fire-retardant cover may be specifically required – dependent on the local authority in question. You want protection from the rain but you also want it to be as light as it can be for ease of transportation. When choosing what colour covering you want, do consider what your stall will look like from a distance. White shows up better but it will also show the mould. BTW, mould is something to consider. At the end of a market day, after it has been raining, you will close up your tent wet. That will breed mould, unless you are able to take it home and have somewhere to open it out and dry it. Not many folk would be able to do that, so mould will be something that is bound to appear. Less visible on darker fabric. However, a dark gazebo will make your stall unnecessarily dark and not so easy to see your products. Personally, I would always have a white gazebo if I could but mould and mud will become an issue unless you are able to clean it properly. FYI Never get an orange tent if you can help it – You will look orange and so will your stock! Don’t ask me how I know! Lesson No 2
Brand Overprinting
Having your personal brand emblazoned onto your tent looks great – and if your branding is good, you will see it from afar. However, there are a few disadvantages to that.
- You could only use your gazebo for that particular brand,
- It is more expensive to overprint.
BUT you could purchase a removable printed banner wrap which is either velcro’ed on or attached through eyelets. We did this and it is GREAT! Lesson No 3
Security
At a week-end event it is sometimes expected that you will leave your stall up and secured overnight. Security is usually offered by the event in these scenarios. To that end you may need to consider buying not only the gazebo but sip-uppable sides as well. N.B. We usually drop the gazebo down to half height is there is any worry about wind too.
What Size?
The usual market stall gazebo size is a 3m x 3m. Most events will allocate you a 3m square pitch size. Anything larger may come at a higher price. Also 2 x tables, positioned in an L shape fit well within these dimensions. However, you can get larger or smaller tent sizes according to your specific needs.
Extended Canopy
A really brilliant addition to your gazebo is a little lip which is an extension you attach to your canopy. It is great if you are in direct sunlight and you can use it as a visor or if the rain is blowing directly into your stall as it acts as a slight lip that does offer some protection. Never bought one ourselves but always wished that we had!
This gazebo has one as standard (see below) ABC Canopy.
Gazebo Weights
Having a gazebo in a public place is a big responsibility. You need to ensure that it doesn’t get up-ended by the wind and blown into someone. They can cause a good amount of damage so getting some sturdy weights is essential!
Selection of Brands for 3m x 3m Gazebo
| Brand | Weight/Cost |
|---|---|
| Sun Leisure | 31kg / £350 |
| Gala Tent | 36kg / £300 |
| Maximus Gazebo | 34kg / £179.99 (including sides) |
| ABC CANOPY | 34 kg / £226 (including sides) |
Here are some Amazon Links to the last two items in this chart – just to give you an idea…
Maximus Gazebo – best for price: https://amzn.to/3t5MsX0
ABC Canopy with its extended sun shade: https://amzn.to/3scfkMR
The best thing to do before purchasing your gazebo is to look at fellow market stall holders structures and ask them what they think about theirs first. There is no substitute for looking at something before you buy it.
Sack Truck
If you have to lug your gazebo far, you could consider getting the ones with bags on wheels or a good sack truck (trolley) to help you out. A good one that you can fold up and put into your vehicle and use for you stock too, is useful if your stock is heavy. See this Amazon one here: https://amzn.to/3CM6avp
Good Trading!