About
We offer a complete service. From our initial meeting we will bespoke the marquee to your requirements. We make sure that you have all the right elements to make your day the perfect day.
Ground Control Marquees was founded in 2008 but our history and experience stems back to the 90s as the former Fare Catering and Marquees.
Ben Mayhew
Founder & Director
Your Marquee
Think of a marquee as a blank canvas ready for you to create the right environment for you.
Our marquees come complete with ivory pleated linings throughout with mat flooring and stunning chandelier lighting to create the perfect mood. Changing the valance colour is a simple but effective way to bring a little colour into your marquee or if you have a wood floor then a choice of carpet colours awaits you.
Whatever your dream is let us know and we can create the perfect marquee.
Holly Mayhew
Co-Founder & Director
Behind the name
When proprietor Ben Mayhew was 3 years old in 1972 his father, Robin, was 'front of house' sound engineer for the David Bowie / Ziggy Stardust phenomenon. Using the famous line from Bowie's song Space Oddity he formed a sound system rental company called Ground Control. Throughout the rest of the '70's and the early '80s the successful venture engineered and supplied sound rigs to many big named artists of the day. It is the perfect name for our marquee hire and event organising company as we cover, and thereby 'control', the very ground on which your function takes place.
Ben Mayhew
Founder & Director
Meet The Team
Director
Ben Mayhew
Ben has spent many years in the events industry and there are not too many things that he has not seen.
Starting in the early nineties, he worked as a freelance set builder working mainly in the London area creating fantastic sets for extravagant parties. He also worked on many sets at London's prestigious fashion week. From here he moved into Marquee structures and would build the frames then move on into the insides to again create fantastic themes within.
After years in London a move to Billingshurst would see him start at Fare Catering and Marquees as their full time marquee manager in charge of all the set ups for their busy summer seasons. Moving up the company to head of logistics and then to managing director. He ran the company as if it was his own for eight years until the owner offered him the company which he took over completely in 2008, renamed as Ground Control Marquees. From here he has not looked back, enjoying more and more challenges of running his own business. Ben can be found in the office most evenings but spends the summer days working with his team erecting the marquees so that he can be sure each job has his stamp of approval.
Director
Holly Mayhew
Holly has had many years to get used to the industry being married to Ben since 1999.
Holly was originally a Montessori school teacher running her own business for 6 years in West Sussex.
Not long after Ben obtained the business, she joined him in the office using her fantastic listening skills to great effect with their clients. They are now a great husband and wife team.
Holly is always available for a chat to help you achieve your dream event.
Site Team
The Crew
Our team have a rich tapestry of backgrounds but really enjoy working in the great outdoors. The work is extremely labour intensive and often demanding 6-7 day weeks in our high season but they find it very rewarding when they receive fantastic feedback, along with being able to see clients enjoy they spaces that they have created.
Our guys work tirelessly throughout the season in order to create structures with an attention to detail on the final product and are always approachable for any questions during the build process.
We are fortunate to have a great site team who are the backbone of our business. Problem solving and service with a smile. A credit to have as the face of our company, hats off to them!
We are always on the look out for new members of our site crew during the busy summer season. If you feel that you fit in with our company ethos, please feel free to get in contact!
Giant Tipis
We also offer giant wedding and party tipis under the trading name Sussex and Surrey Tipi Hire. We offer the same great services and venues but under a different physical structures. Our giant hat Nordic teepees offer a fantastic alternative to the contemporary marquee structure. Dare to be different!
