Building back better
Access explores how leading temporary structure suppliers are working to provide new services and products while addressing financial pressures and staff shortages
ES Global has developed a new staging system for Boardmasters
Words : Joe Gallop
Temporary structure suppliers expanding their reach beyond events was rife during the pandemic , but as events return in their thousands , tents , marquees and other structures are needed now more than ever . While operators work their way around rising costs and staff shortages , many are now offering new innovative services and products .
London-based ES Global is working on around 60 events across the year including three systems of staging for The Killers ’ UK tour and the construction of the new 3,000-capacity ABBA Arena at London ’ s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park , which was designed by Stufish Entertainment Architects .
The company also produced an inflated bulbous dome for Alexander McQueen , which sat on top of a London car park rooftop in Tobacco Dock .
Among its non-event , pandemicrelated , work this year has been an intensive period of helping the NHS to deliver eight surge hubs across the UK in January .
“ We were impacted by the pandemic the same as everyone else in the events business – our events order book collapsed but we were able to pivot and were asked to get involved with the delivery of The Dragon ’ s Heart Hospital in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium ,” says ES Global joint-CEO Jeff Burke .
“ We are proud to say we employed people and companies who would normally work in the events sector . It was an amazing and awardwinning experience . Working on The Dragon ’ s Heart Hospital has led to us now working with HMRC and DEFRA .”
With a focus on its more traditional work , ES Global has developed a new medium-sized staging system that is to be used at Vision Nine ’ s Boardmasters festival ( cap . 53,000 ), DF Concerts ’ TRNSMT festival ( 50,000 ) and Harry Styles ’ June concert at Ibrox Stadium ( 50,000 ) in Glasgow .
Burke says the biggest challenge this year has been finding and training crew : “ It has been a challenge for everyone in the industry and we are no exception .”
Like everyone else , the company has also been impacted
45