Last Minute Event Hire

Event plans sometimes come together late, or something falls through with another supplier. Expo Hire takes orders at short notice subject to what is in stock on your date. This page explains what to expect when you are booking within a short window.

What counts as short notice

We class anything booked within five working days of the event date as short notice. Orders with less than 48 hours until delivery are the most difficult to fulfil, and we cannot guarantee them. If you are within 48 hours of your event, call the team directly rather than ordering online. An online order at that stage may not be processed in time.

Weekday events are generally easier to fulfil at short notice than weekend events. Equipment is more likely to be back from a previous order and available for repacking in time for a Monday or Tuesday event. Weekend demand is higher, so availability on Saturday and Sunday dates is tighter.

Checking availability

The fastest way to check whether your required items are available on your date is to use the live stock checker. Enter your event date and browse the items you need; the checker updates in real time as orders are placed and returned. If items show as available, you can proceed to place the order immediately.

If your preferred items are showing as out of stock for your date, a few options are worth considering. For some items, a close alternative may be available: a different chair style or a similar glass format. For crockery, cutlery and glassware, partial availability is common. The full quantity you need may not be available, but a smaller quantity might work if your numbers have flexibility.

If preferred items are unavailable

If the live stock checker shows key items as unavailable and you cannot find alternatives on the site, contact the team directly. Stock availability updates as orders are returned and processed; items that show as unavailable today may be available tomorrow if a returning order is cleaned and restocked. The team can flag if there is a realistic chance of availability opening up before your event date.

For large orders at short notice, the team may be able to split supply across depots where logistics allow, though this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed for very short lead times.

Peak periods

Short-notice availability drops significantly during peak periods: June through August for outdoor and summer events, October through December for gala dinners and award ceremonies, and the May to July window for school proms. If your event falls during these periods, the probability of last-minute availability is lower. The only reliable way to secure equipment during peak weeks is to book ahead.

Placing a short-notice order

If you have confirmed availability on the live stock checker, place your order online in the normal way. Select your event date, confirm your delivery postcode and complete checkout. For orders within 48 hours of the required delivery date, or if you have any doubts about whether the order can be processed in time, call the team to confirm before you pay.

Expo Hire delivers across England and Wales. For short-notice enquiries outside business hours, email the team and someone will respond at the start of the next working day.