Case Study: The Dorothy Pax, Sheffield
A pub and hospitality case study on how The Dorothy Pax extended its canalside space with Gala Shade Pro 50 gazebos
Real Solutions for Real Events
At Gala Tent, we supply pop up gazebos and marquees to businesses across many industries, from motorsport to markets, event planning to hospitality, and festivals to fairs. Pubs are among the most active users of our products. Our pop ups shelter drinking and beer garden benches or create smoking shelters, and our marquees build large external dining rooms and function suites. One venue that used our structures to near-perfect effect was The Dorothy Pax in Sheffield.
Located on the picturesque Victoria Quays in a trendy part of the city, The Dorothy Pax was a much-loved grassroots venue that hosted music, comedy and other entertainment events regularly. It was small, but Richard Henderson, the venue's owner and Managing Director, made full use of the outdoor area by filling it with dining and drinking benches and covering them with a series of orange Gala Shade Pro 50 gazebos.
The gazebos provided shelter from the rain and shade from the summer sun that the sun-trap location attracted, and were well used by the pub's many loyal regulars. Richard and his team took great pride in the aesthetics and comfort too, with heaters spread throughout and elegant decorations, giving guests a comfortable space for the venue's top-quality ales, wines and spirits and for the many entertainment events held there. The gazebos also doubled as an extra outdoor bar or two when an event demanded it, which helped the team reduce queuing times and keep service moving.
Multi-Purpose Gazebos
As a vital part of Sheffield's wider social community, the pub's team also provided a location during the popular Tramlines weekend as part of the Fringe festival, organising the free-to-attend Pax in the Park festival in nearby Heeley. Richard's work on the space was admired locally, and neighbouring venues followed his lead by extending their own outdoor areas with Gala Tent gazebos.
Richard told us when we visited to see the venue and its range of Gala Shade gazebos:
"We've used Gala Tent for more than seven years, they are an excellent company to work with. They have an amazing product, always delivered next working day. In the seven years we've had the gazebos, we have seen off many different storms. Not having our Gala Tent gazebos would be detrimental to our business. We have several more of different types that we keep in storage to provide to other community events in the city."
Pub Gazebo Accessories
The venue ran a range of sizes of Pro 50 gazebo, mostly orange, to suit the outdoor space, with some connected together by gutter kits to create longer, larger shelters, plus infrared heaters for when the sun went down or winter drew in.
"With Gala Tent, it's not just the structures themselves. There's all sorts of accessories to make them better. For example, we have the range of heaters that we switch on in winter, and aren't as expensive on the electricity as you might think. Then the gutter kits and connectors. There are all sorts of configurations you can achieve."
Richard confirmed that the indoor capacity of his small, beautifully decorated bar and gig venue was 70, but with the gazebos on the canal quay outside, capacity rose by 120. That was a capacity increase of around 170%.
"This allows us to keep trading in all weathers. Obviously, this has an extremely beneficial impact on our sales."
Richard and his team at The Dorothy Pax had one of the finest collections of Gala Tent structures we knew of, used in some of the most effective ways possible at a genuinely characterful venue. Our thanks to the team for their pictures, kind comments and hospitality in letting us visit for a chat.
The Dorothy Pax closed in March 2025 after eight years, one of many grassroots music venues lost to rising costs across the sector. We were proud to have supported the venue during its time on the Quays, and this case study stands as a record of how thoughtfully Richard and his team used their gazebos to turn a small space into one of the most welcoming canalside spots in the city..
This article was part of our Case Study series, in which we chat with customers who own and use Gala Tent products to great effect. If you or your business would like to talk to our team about your experience with Gala Tent and be featured, get in touch on 01709 242454 and ask for Ryan. If you are a satisfied customer, please leave us a review. If you own a hospitality venue and would like to extend your capacity with professional-standard pop-up gazebos or marquees, drop us a message using the form below and we will be in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can pop up gazebos increase a pub's capacity?
Yes. Covered outdoor seating lets a venue trade in more weather conditions and adds usable space. At The Dorothy Pax, gazebos on the canalside quay added around 120 covers to an indoor capacity of 70.
What gazebos suit a pub beer garden?
Commercial-grade pop up gazebos such as the Gala Shade Pro 50 are a common choice, as they are waterproof, quick to set up and built for regular outdoor use. You can see the range on the pub and hospitality page.
Can gazebos be joined together? Yes.
Gutter kits and connectors link multiple gazebos into longer, larger covered runs, which is how The Dorothy Pax built continuous shelter along its quay.
Can you heat an outdoor gazebo in winter?
Yes. Infrared and other gazebo heaters extend outdoor use into colder months. The Dorothy Pax ran heaters through winter to keep the space usable year round.
Are commercial gazebos weatherproof enough for year-round trading?
Commercial gazebos are designed to be waterproof and to withstand regular use in British weather. The venue reported its gazebos seeing off many storms over seven years of use.
How do I feature my business in a Gala Tent case study?
Get in touch with the team on 01709 242454 and ask for Ryan, or use the enquiry form on the site.
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