RHS Flower Shows Temporary VIP Hospitality Structures

The Assignment
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show are the world’s largest and the UK’s most prestigious horticultural events respectively, each welcoming around 160,000 visitors. Neptunus was tasked with providing hospitality to VIPs, corporate clients and exhibitors via several temporary structures offering everything from fine dining, to exhibitor restaurants and bars.

The Royal Horticultural Society required a flexible, high quality supplier who was able to work within the prestigious surroundings without damaging the beautiful gardens.

The Solution
Neptunus created the prestigious Oasis Hospitality Village at Chelsea Flower Show from two Alure Globe structures, measuring 12m x 50m each, with shade canopies and decked walkways. With full vision glazing and an innovative curved roof, its distinctive appearance created an impression of quality and luxury.

Around the show, Neptunus also supplied Alu Halls for the Exhibitors Restaurant and additional structures for the Bandstand, public catering and essential services including the police and ticket collection office.

At Hampton Court Palace, stunning views across the show gardens, Palace and deer park were offered from a 24m x 45m double decker structure which was home to deli-style catering on the ground floor and Allium Restaurant above. Neptunus also supplied and installed Alu Halls for the public restaurants, press and judges, and pergola-style structures to the sides of the Long Water for public catering. All of the structures were erected in 10 days.

In 2013 the exteriors of the structures were clad with different colours to correspond with special zones, each with their own distinctive theme. It took Neptunus technicians 13 days to deliver the turnkey project, which was complete with interior fit-out, carpets, toilets and air-conditioning.

The Challenges
These high-profile projects within historically important grounds present significant challenges to ensure the gardens are not damaged during the build programme.

Neptunus collaborated with the Hampton Court Palace and the Chelsea Hospital site management teams to plan and carry out the installations, ensuring the grounds were protected throughout.

All of the structures were swiftly dismantled and removed after the events and all the components were returned to Neptunus’ hire stock for future reuse.

The Verdict
“The intention when bringing Neptunus to Chelsea in its centenary year was to improve the quality and finish of certain structures” commented Caroline Hills, Head of Shows Operations, The Royal Horticultural Society.

“Neptunus have built the Hospitality Village, Exhibitors Restaurant, Chelsea Graze, Bandstand and other smaller structures bringing great improvements to the quality, look and feel of the show. Their flexibility, particularly required to build the Exhibitors Restaurant and Hospitality Village has proved perfect to ensure the fit of the structures in very restricted areas.”

As a trusted supplier and installer of high quality structures, the RHS has awarded Neptunus another three-year contract for the flower shows.