Event Hire FAQ’s
Hire Rates & Duration
At Fruit & Cactus, we keep our pricing simple, fair and flexible — whether you’re hiring a single item or kitting out an entire space. Our hire structure is designed to suit everything from single‑day events to multi‑day builds, longer exhibitions or festival bookings.
We understand that no two events are the same, so we adapt to your needs rather than forcing a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.
How Our Hire Rates Work
Our standard hire rate covers one event day, plus delivery and collection days.
This means you don’t pay extra simply because your items arrive the day before or are collected the day after.
Example:
For a weekend event, delivery may take place on Friday and collection on Sunday or Monday — all covered within the standard 1‑day hire price.
Longer event hire
For multi‑day bookings, build days, exhibitions or longer events, we use a clear scaled pricing structure. The longer you hire, the better the value per day.
This applies across all hire items, including furniture, props, décor pieces, and the trailer.
Hire Rate Scale
| Hire Duration | Rate |
| 1 day | Hire fee x 1 |
| 3+ days | Hire fee x 1.5 |
| 5+ days | Hire fee x 2 |
| 8+ days | Hire fee x 2.5 |
| 10+ days | Hire fee x 3 |
| 12+ days | Please enquire |
Booking Deposits
We require a 25% deposit to secure your booking. This deposit confirms your booking and allows us to reserve the equipment & dates exclusively for you. The final balance will be due 4 weeks before your event.
Damages Deposits
To ensure all items are kept in excellent condition for every client, we require a refundable damage deposit on all hires.
How the Deposit Works
- The deposit is 10% of the replacement value of your total order
- Capped at £500 per booking
- Refunded in full once items are returned in good, clean condition
- Applies to all hire items – furniture, props, décor, and the trailer
If there is loss, breakage, excessive wear, or items require specialist cleaning or repair, the cost will be deducted from the deposit. We always communicate clearly before making any deductions.
Terms & Conditions
With every booking, we will send you a copy of our hire agreement and terms & conditions, which must be signed before the hire is confirmed. We recommend reading everything carefully as it outlines your responsibilities, what’s included and how we handle things like damage, cancellations and delivery. We are always happy to answer any questions before you sign.
Delivery & Collection
We provide reliable delivery and collection across all hire categories — from small décor items to large furniture pieces and the trailer. Our goal is to make the process smooth, efficient, and completely stress‑free.
Delivery Pricing
- Free delivery within 10 miles of Harwell, Oxfordshire
- Beyond this, delivery is charged at £1.00 per mile, based on the round‑trip distance outside the free radius
Example:
If your event is 20 miles away (10 miles beyond the free zone):
10 miles × 4 trips (two round trips) × £1.00 = £40.00
Additional Information
Additional charges may apply for:
- Out‑of‑hours delivery or collection
- Challenging access sites
- Multiple vehicle loads for very large orders
We always confirm these costs in advance so there are no surprises.
On-Site Setup
Our team will handle:
- Unloading
- Setup
- Placement/styling of items (where applicable)
- Takedown and removal after your event
A full handover is provided for any equipment that requires operation or special care.
Private Dining FAQ’s
Booking
We recommend booking private dining a minimum 6-8 weeks in advance where possible. This gives us time to discuss menu options, plan the logistics and get everything in place.
Menus & Dietary Requirements
Every menu is tailored to your event. We will have a good chat about the ideas you may have and put together a menu to suit your taste, event and guests.
We can accommodate all dietary requirements, allergies and special requests, ensuring everyone enjoys their meal. Please note, our kitchen handles all 14 allergens, so we cannot guarantee there will be no cross-contamination.
Pricing
Once we have discussed your event and what you are looking for, we will put together a bespoke quote. Private dining events are priced per head. Staffing is quoted additionally.
We require a 25% deposit to secure your booking. This deposit confirms your booking and allows us to reserve the date exclusively for you. The final balance will be due 4 weeks before your event.
Terms & Conditions
With every booking, we will send you a copy of our terms & conditions, which must be signed before your private dining is confirmed. We recommend reading everything carefully as it outlines your responsibilities, what’s included and how we handle things like cancellations, guest numbers and menu changes. We are always happy to answer any questions before you sign.
Event Logistics
We prep everything in our kitchen ahead of time, then bring the food and equipment to your home or venue. We handle the set up and finishing touches, so that when it’s time to serve, everything is ready for you and your guests to enjoy.
Changes & Adjustments
Plans change! We’ll work with you on menu adjustments or guest numbers. Final numbers and menu choices need to be confirmed 4 weeks in advance, to give us time to prep everything our end.
Special Requests & Extras
From themed menus to seasonal dishes and drink pairings, we’re happy to create a memorable experience tailored to your event. We even offer printed menus to fit your theme.