Pitch sizes and layout
Pitch sizes vary by market and event, so confirm the exact width and depth with the organiser before you book. Measure your gazebo with weights and guy lines included, then leave space around the stall for neighbours, customers and access routes.
Ask for the dimensions
Markets and events set their own pitch sizes, and the organiser can tell you the width and depth. A 3m x 3m gazebo is a common choice for a market stall, but check it fits the pitch you are offered. Our guide to choosing a gazebo for a market stall covers sizes.
Read the pitch plan
A pitch plan shows where each stall goes, where vehicles and fire access routes run and where power or water points sit. Look for your pitch number and the space beside it. Ask the organiser how to read anything unclear.
If there is no plan, ask the organiser for a rough sketch showing the pitch edges, your neighbours and the access route. Photograph the pitch on arrival so you have a record of the space you were given.
Measure the whole footprint
- The gazebo frame at its widest point.
- Weights or ballast on each leg.
- Guy lines and pegs, which extend beyond the frame.
- Tables or display units that sit outside the canopy.
- Your vehicle, if it stays on the pitch.
Plan your layout
Put your payment point and busiest display where customers can reach them without blocking the walkway. Keep stock and cash away from the front. Leave a clear route in and out of the stall for you.
Think about where customers will queue. If a queue forms across the walkway, it can annoy neighbours and the organiser, so allow space in front of the stall for people to stand.
If your stall uses gas or electricity, check where cables and cylinders sit and follow the organiser's rules.
Plan for the weather too. Wind can move a stall in a few minutes, so set up with your weights in place from the start, and keep a spare set of ties and tape in the car.
Weights and guy lines
Organisers commonly expect each gazebo leg to be weighted, and some set a minimum weight. Ask what the organiser requires. Keep guy lines visible and marked, so people do not trip.
Pegs may not be allowed on some surfaces, so ask the organiser.
Our outdoor event checklist lists the weights, ties and spares worth packing.
Before you book
- Ask for pitch width and depth.
- Check whether the pitch allows a gazebo.
- Ask about weights, pegs and guy line rules.
- Find out where your vehicle goes.
- Ask about access, power and set-up times.
On the day, arrive within your set-up window and check the pitch against the plan before you unload. If the space is smaller than you were told, speak to the organiser straight away, because a stall that spills into a walkway or a neighbour's pitch can be moved.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a standard market stall pitch?
It varies. Ask the organiser for the width and depth of the pitch you are offered.
Will a 3m x 3m gazebo fit a market pitch?
It fits many pitches, but check the dimensions with the organiser, and allow for guy lines and weights.
Can I use pegs on a market pitch?
Some surfaces do not allow pegs. Ask the organiser, and carry weights as an alternative.
Do I need to leave space between stalls?
Organisers often set gaps and access routes. Follow the pitch plan and ask if you are unsure.
Gazebos built for regular pitches
Once a pitch is confirmed, the stall needs to fit it. Gala Tent makes market stall gazebos for traders who set up week after week.
Useful pages on our sister sites
Event Industry Trader is published by Gala Tent. These pages from Gala Tent and the wider Gala group go further on the kit, branding and payments covered here.
Where to check the rules
Rules vary by council and by event. Confirm requirements with the organiser and the relevant authority before you act.