Hiring Evacuation Chairs and Having a GEEP in Place for Christmas Events
By The Evacuation Company – The UK’s Leading Provider of Evacuation Chairs and Training Solutions
As the festive season approaches, venues across the UK are preparing for a busy period of Christmas parties, concerts, winter fairs, and corporate celebrations. With large numbers of visitors, seasonal staff, and temporary structures in use, safety and accessibility must remain at the forefront of every event organiser’s mind. One key element often overlooked is emergency evacuation planning, particularly when it comes to ensuring that people with mobility challenges can exit a venue safely and swiftly.
This is where hiring evacuation chairs and having a robust GEEP (Generic Emergency Evacuation Plan) in place becomes essential. The Evacuation Company, recognised as the UK’s leading authority in evacuation chairs, training, and servicing, provides a complete solution for venues and organisations looking to stay compliant and inclusive this Christmas season.
The Importance of Accessibility and Safety at Christmas Events
Christmas events bring joy, togetherness, and celebration — but they also bring increased safety responsibilities. Crowded venues, temporary stages, and complex layouts can make evacuation planning more challenging. In such environments, having the correct GEEPs and PEEPs (Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans) in place is not just best practice — it’s a legal and moral obligation under UK fire safety and equality legislation.
A well-prepared GEEP outlines how individuals with limited mobility or other accessibility needs will be assisted in the event of an emergency. For staff, visitors, or contractors who may require additional help, a PEEP provides a personal evacuation strategy tailored to their individual requirements.
By combining clear evacuation plans with hiring evac chairs, event organisers can ensure that every attendee — regardless of mobility — can evacuate safely and efficiently if the need arises.
Why Hiring Evacuation Chairs Is Essential During the Festive Season
Many venues, especially those that host temporary or seasonal events, don’t have permanent accessibility equipment installed. In these cases, hiring evacuation chairs is the most practical and cost-effective way to ensure compliance and safety.
Evacuation chairs are specially designed to help trained personnel move people with restricted mobility down staircases quickly and securely during an emergency. Unlike wheelchairs, which can be difficult to manoeuvre on stairs, evac chairs use a tracked system that allows controlled and smooth descent without strain or risk.
For Christmas markets, theatres, hotels, and function halls, hiring evac chairs provides peace of mind without the cost or commitment of purchasing equipment outright. With The Evacuation Company, short-term and long-term hire options are available — complete with full training and support — making it easy for event organisers to be fully evacuation ready.
The Role of GEEPs and PEEPs in Event Safety
A GEEP (Generic Emergency Evacuation Plan) is a general plan for evacuating groups of people with disabilities or mobility issues. It considers how your building or event space will accommodate safe egress for everyone, including the use of evacuation aids like chairs and trained staff assistance.
A PEEP, on the other hand, focuses on the individual. For example, a member of staff or a performer who uses a wheelchair may require a personalised plan detailing who will assist them, how they will be moved, and where evacuation equipment is located.
The Evacuation Company works closely with businesses, event organisers, and facilities managers to ensure both GEEPs and PEEPs are properly developed and regularly reviewed. By combining these plans with reliable evacuation equipment, you create a complete safety system that meets UK legal requirements and ensures everyone is included in your evacuation strategy.
For detailed guidance, you can visit The Evacuation Company’s GEEP and PEEP resource page, which offers expert advice and templates to help organisations plan effectively.
Benefits of Hiring Evacuation Chairs from The Evacuation Company
1. Flexibility for Seasonal Events
Not all venues require evacuation equipment year-round. Hiring evacuation chairs gives you the flexibility to have safety equipment available when you need it most — for example, during busy Christmas periods, corporate events, or temporary exhibitions.
2. Full Compliance and Peace of Mind
By working with The Evacuation Company, you ensure that your event meets all health and safety and equality legislation. Each hire includes full guidance on the safe use of equipment and can be combined with evacuation chair training for your staff.
3. Professional Training and Support
Proper training is vital. The Evacuation Company provides certified evacuation chair training courses to ensure that designated staff can operate the chairs safely and confidently. Training covers everything from chair setup and descent techniques to user comfort and post-incident checks.
4. Cost-Effective and Convenient
Hiring evac chairs removes the need for large capital expenditure. You pay only for the period you need, making it ideal for short-term events. Delivery, setup, and servicing are all handled by The Evacuation Company, so you can focus on running your event safely.
5. Nationwide Coverage
With a UK-wide service network, The Evacuation Company ensures fast delivery and professional setup wherever your event is held — from London to Edinburgh, and everywhere in between.
Building Safety and Inclusivity into Every Event
Accessibility should never be an afterthought. By integrating GEEPs and PEEPs into your event planning, you demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, compliance, and care for every individual attending your event.
The Evacuation Company’s experienced team helps venues of all sizes prepare for the unexpected. Whether you are hosting a Christmas ball, a festive corporate gathering, or a public market, their tailored solutions make hiring evacuation chairs simple, effective, and fully compliant.
Visit The Evacuation Company to explore flexible evac chair hire packages, expert GEEP and PEEP consultancy, and industry-leading training options.
Be Evacuation Ready This Christmas
The holiday season should be filled with celebration, not concern. Taking proactive steps now ensures that your staff, guests, and visitors are protected in the event of an emergency. Hiring evacuation chairs and having clear GEEPs and PEEPs in place means you can host your festive events with complete confidence.
Partnering with The Evacuation Company — the UK’s trusted name in evacuation safety — ensures your Christmas events are not only memorable but fully accessible to all.
To learn more or to arrange your evacuation chair hire, visit The Evacuation Company’s official website and speak to their expert team today.