Business Details
21 Years
experience
Trusted Event Catering & Furniture Hire in Exeter
Established in 2005, South West Event Hire has built a reputation for delivering high-quality catering equipment and furniture hire across the South West of England. As part of Allens Hire since 2025, we combine our longstanding expertise with access to an expanded catalogue of resources. Our Exeter-based depot serves Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bath, Bristol, and Cornwall, offering everything from wedding furniture and glassware to commercial kitchen equipment. We prioritise customer support, providing clear hire guides, expert consultation, and flexible delivery options. Our team understands both large-scale events and intimate gatherings, ensuring every client receives tailored advice and reliable service.Regular maintenance of our stock guarantees functionality, while our streamlined booking process simplifies planning. Testimonials highlight our punctual delivery, responsive communication, and commitment to resolving challenges. We operate Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 17:00, with prior arrangements available for equipment viewings. Whether supporting professional caterers or private hosts, our focus remains on making events stress-free and successful through dependable equipment solutions.
Services
Catering Equipment Hire
Furniture Hire
Chair Hire
China Hire
Glassware Hire
Rustic Furniture Hire
Conference Equipment Hire
Garden Furniture Hire
Wedding Accessories Hire
Cooking Equipment Hire
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer over 18 years of specialised experience in event equipment hire.
- Our extensive stock includes 77+ catering equipment options and 98+ tableware items.
- We provide reliable delivery and collection across the South West region.
- Our team offers expert consultation for both large-scale and intimate events.
- We maintain all equipment to ensure functionality and presentation standards.
Associations and certifications
- Hire Association Europe
What people say
Excellent service
Seamless and unstressful day
Faultless
Highly recommend
Friendly and helpful
Services
Catering Equipment Hire
We provide comprehensive catering equipment hire for events of all sizes, including ovens, refrigeration units, and heated serving systems. Our inventory supports both domestic functions and commercial marquee operations, ensuring professional-grade tools for food preparation and presentation. Regular maintenance guarantees reliability, while our delivery service ensures timely setup.
Furniture Hire
Our furniture hire service offers rustic trestle tables, benches, and oak barrels alongside modern conference seating. Designed to enhance country venues and urban spaces alike, our stock includes durable, aesthetically versatile pieces. Delivery and collection options simplify logistics for weddings, parties, and corporate events across the South West.
Chair Hire
We supply diverse chair options spanning rustic, contemporary, and corporate styles to match event themes. Our inventory caters to weddings, conferences, and private functions, with expert guidance on suitability. Stock availability ensures flexibility for both small gatherings and large-scale events requiring bulk orders.
Rustic Furniture Hire
Specialising in rustic furniture, we offer trestle tables, benches, and oak barrels to create authentic country aesthetics. Ideal for marquee events and rural venues, these pieces complement weddings and festivals. Our collection balances durability with visual appeal, supported by delivery services to ensure timely setup.
Cooking Equipment Hire
Our cooking equipment hire includes ovens, deep fat fryers, and heated carvery units for event catering. Designed for temporary kitchens and marquee setups, these appliances ensure food preparation efficiency. Regular servicing maintains performance standards, while our team advises on equipment selection for specific event requirements.
Questions
How do I request a quote for equipment hire?
Browse our Hire Store, add items to your quote list, and submit your request via our online form. You'll receive an automated confirmation email.
Which areas do you deliver to?
We deliver throughout the South West, covering Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bath, Bristol, and Cornwall from our Exeter depot.
What are your payment terms?
A 50% deposit or £150 (whichever is higher) is required upon booking, with full payment due two weeks before delivery.
Can I cancel my order?
Cancellation charges apply: 100% within 7 days, 50% within 14 days, and 25% prior to 14 days of the event date.
Do you offer equipment viewings?
Yes, we welcome viewings at our Exeter depot by prior arrangement during office hours (Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00).
What happens if equipment is damaged?
The hirer is responsible for damage or breakages, charged at replacement cost. Minor damages may be resolved by returning items within 14 days.
Reviews (5)
Alex Hervin
Dec 29, 2021
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Nagged for a 30 admin fee to move our date due to covid (The only wedding supplier that did this and we moved 3 times) eventually threatening to pass over to debt collection agencies (Yeah for 30). And to be honest, the chairs we hired were of poor quality, some had red wine stains and the tables although very "rustic" as described probably need renewing. I would not recommend SW Event Hire but there aren't many other options. I should have been firmer and taken pictures of all the hired items but in the midst of a wedding day that was least of my worries.
Debbie Andrews
Jul 23, 2021
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Appalling customer service, I do not recommend this company. The urn we hired for our daughters wedding leaked and was unusable. I rang and emailed asking for a replacement. THREE days later, after the event, I got a reply. I even had to ask for a refund for the urn, nothing was offered. They quicker to ask my daughter for money to cover mislaid cutlery!!
Jean Taylor
Dec 31, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Very impressed with the professional and friendly service and help. Jean Taylor.
Very impressed with the professional and friendly service and help. Jean Taylor.
Bigtopmania Circus & Marquee Hire
Jun 15, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
We have had various items from South West Event Hire in our marquee weddings and parties over the years and its always be perfectly good. We are very happy to keep asking for more!
We have had various items from South West Event Hire in our marquee weddings and parties over the years and its always be perfectly good. We are very happy to keep asking for more!
Swietlana Borkowska
Oct 03, 2019
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I've used them for years, always hire an oven for Glastonbury festival. Great value, efficient communication. Drivers always find their way around this massive festival and deliver/pick up on time. Most hire companies locally don't even do this festival! Equipment is always in top notch condition and clean. They give me a peace of mind each year. Thank you!
