The Client:      Debenhams
The Brief:        Press Event - Spring/Summer Collection 2008 Location:         London, UK
Duration:         2 days
Audience:       Press & Public
No. of Pax:       500

The Brief

Debenhams had outgrown its previous venue and had only eight weeks to stage its press launch event for their Spring/Summer collection. They required a blank canvas, a unique and inspiring venue with no obstructions or pillars and the venue had to have a West End location to ensure audience attendance for their 2008 collection launch.

The Solution

We had a hard task to find a venue or space in Central London (West End) that could cater for the size of audience, the required floor space and date availability. Due to the lack of success in sourcing a suitable pre-built venue we decided to create a bespoke venue to fit Debenhams brief!

Our solution was to hire Portland Square and erect a 1500sqm, clear perspex roof marquee to allow natural daylight.  With a bespoke venue there were numerous factors that required consideration:-

  • 10 day build – including considerations to protect the garden areas
  • Exhibition layout
  • Sound, lighting, AV production plus generators
  • Kitchen and catering
  • Washroom facilities
  • 24 hour Security
  • Grounds management
  • Health & Safety and Risk Assessment
  • Last but not least a pesky ‘not-so-friendly urban fox’ to manage each night! 

The structure, lighting and location combined created a truly memorable atmosphere for the 500 guests that visited the venue over two days. The bespoke space lived up to the brief which became an amazing canvas for both day and night events, hosting a glamorous evening party and then transforming into a daytime event space complete with shop fittings and storage.