How Gala Tent Helped Castle Park Arts Centre Keep the Show Going.
How Gala Tent helped a Cheshire arts charity keep its covered outdoor community space in use after storm damage.
When Castle Park Arts Centre in Frodsham first bought their two 6m x 8m marquees from Gala Tent, they were responding to a crisis. The Covid-19 pandemic had made indoor gatherings difficult, but the team at this community venue wanted to make sure that locals and visitors could still enjoy the arts, music and hospitality that make Castle Park such a popular place. The marquees let them keep the doors open, giving guests a comfortable, sheltered space to eat, drink and take in live performances during their much-loved Elevenses sessions.
Once the pandemic passed, the team took the marquees down, assuming they had served their purpose. The reaction from customers told a different story. Their absence was felt straight away, and it was clear the marquees had become part of the venue's identity. By popular demand, the structures went back up, giving the venue a versatile outdoor space that added to the visitor experience.
A storm, a setback and a solution
Winter storms damaged one of the marquee canopies. The eyelets along one side tore away, leaving the cover battered and no longer fit for continued use. The frame was still sound, but the damaged canopy meant the marquee no longer gave the protection or the appearance that Castle Park's guests had come to expect.
Because we understood how much the space mattered to the local community, Gala Tent stepped in. As a gesture of goodwill to the charitable trust, we provided a brand-new replacement canopy at no cost. Rather than post the canopy and leave the team to manage the fitting, our director Andrew and his colleague Ryan made the trip to Frodsham to replace it in person.
Putting in the work and rebuilding the space
By 10:30am the team had arrived in Cheshire and got started. The large marquee was carefully taken down, and by 2pm it was back up with a fresh replacement canopy, giving the courtyard a clean, revitalised look. As they worked, plenty of regulars stopped by for a chat, keen to share how much the marquees meant to them and the difference they had made to Castle Park.
The team at Castle Park Arts Centre, including Judith, Hugh and Emma, were grateful both for the replacement canopy and for the hands-on support in getting the space back in action.
Judith summed it up:
"The fact that we have a covered outdoor space means that we can have this outdoor community all year round. We can have live music at eleven o'clock, our regular customers who are very loyal to us can literally be out here all year round. It's such a fabulous outdoor space. If this space wasn't under cover, we would not be able to use it as often as we do. Thank you, Gala Tent."
Repairing rather than replacing
Storm damage to a canopy does not always mean the end of a marquee. In this case the steel frame was undamaged, so a new cover was all that was needed to bring the structure back to full use. For any marquee owner, keeping a frame in service and replacing only the worn or damaged parts is the more economical and more sustainable route. Our range of replacement covers and spare parts is designed to do exactly that.
About Castle Park Arts Centre
Castle Park Arts Centre sits in parkland in the historic town of Frodsham, Cheshire. Housed in a Victorian building with a distinctive clock tower, originally the stable block for the adjacent Castle Park house, it was converted into an arts centre in 1986. Today it is home to galleries, workshops, craft units, a shop, a café and a courtyard. It was in that courtyard that the Gala Tent marquees stood, providing cover for outdoor entertainment and dining. The clock tower still rings on the hour, a reminder of the building's heritage. You can read more about the centre on the Castle Park Arts Centre website.
Supporting community spaces
Gala Tent works with businesses, charities and community venues across the UK, and we are always glad to help our customers get the best from their structures over the long term. You can read more about our community and charity work on our charity page.
If you are looking for a marquee or gazebo for your business, venue or event, call 01709 242454, contact us, download a brochure, or request a product demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gala Tent do for Castle Park Arts Centre?
After winter storms tore the canopy on one of the centre's 6m x 8m marquees, Gala Tent supplied a free replacement canopy and sent a team to Frodsham to fit it on site, taking the marquee down and rebuilding it the same day.
Can a damaged marquee canopy be replaced on its own?
Yes. If the frame is still sound, a new cover can bring a marquee back to full use without replacing the whole structure. See our replacement covers and spare parts.
What marquees does Castle Park Arts Centre use?
The centre uses two 6m x 8m marquees, originally bought during the pandemic and later reinstated by popular demand as a permanent covered outdoor space. Does Gala Tent su
Does Gala Tent support charities and community venues?
Yes. Gala Tent works with charities and community organisations across the UK. Read more on our charity page.
Where is Castle Park Arts Centre?
It is in Castle Park, Frodsham, Cheshire, set in parkland within a Victorian building that was once the stable block for Castle Park house.
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