People across much of the UK are once again permitted to assemble in one place for the duration of events such as football matches, music concerts, and sporting activities. This includes venues where large numbers will likely enter and leave at a similar time. However, the latest rules continue to put some restrictions and limits on attendee numbers.

The types of outdoor events that are allowed and on the rise include:

  • Live performances
  • Theatre, cinemas, and circuses
  • Business trade shows and conferences
  • Award ceremonies, charity dinners, and gala dinners
  • Non-professional and professional sporting events
  • Historical and battle re-enactments and air shows

The Latest Guidelines

In England, we moved to Step Three of the Government’s Spring 2021 Roadmap, aiming to ease lockdown restrictions and permit organised events. Social contact limits for organised outdoor gatherings are set at thirty people, although organised sport is exempt from social contact limits. Large outdoor events are limited to 4,000 people or fifty percent of the venue’s capacity, whichever is lower. For outdoor seated events, numbers are limited to the lower number of 10,000 people or 25% of the total seated capacity.

Mark Drakeford, the First Minister, announced a lifting of restrictions from June 3rd in Wales as they move to alert level one. This means that in Wales, up to thirty people can meet for outdoor group activities. At large events, such as music concerts and football matches, up to 4,000 non-seated and 10,000 seated spectators can attend. Further good news includes the size of extended households being increased to three.

Outdoor catering and hospitality are now set at groups of thirty people. Food and drink must be consumed at the table. If your event serves alcohol, then ordering must be tableside. If you are a sports ground or catering for one, then ticket holders can collect food, drinks, and alcoholic drinks to consume at their seats.

Benefits Of Outdoor Events

The reopening of outdoor events will give the nation a welcomed boost to mental wellbeing and physical health. Spending time outdoors is proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression and alleviate the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Outdoor group sports will boost participants’ cardiovascular health, and exposure to sunlight increases the body’s production of vitamin D, essential for healthy bones and immune systems.

To make the most of any outdoor event it is vital to invest in appropriate seating and dining furniture sets. The proper kind of wooden chairs, coffee tables, and pub benches will not only heighten the experience and comfort of your guests or customers but aid you in controlling social interactions, in line with the government’s restrictions.

Please contact a member of our team today for high-quality garden furniture to support your outdoor events or gatherings.