How many portable toilets do you need for your event?

When you’re putting on a public event, be it a festival, food and drink market or outdoor show, one of the most important things you need to get right is the loos. It’s not the most glamorous part of planning, but it’s one of the most noticeable if you get it wrong. Nobody wants their visitors to stand in long queues for the toilet instead of enjoying the atmosphere, spending money at stalls or listening to live music.

Under-planning when it comes to the toilets is the kind of thing that your guests will remember after the event is over. That’s why at Smiths Hire, we work with event organisers and businesses across the North to get the right facilities in place – on time, on budget, and with no messing about. We’ve been supplying equipment and tool hire services to the industry for over 50 years, and it’s that experience that helps us deliver top-notch kit, and the right know-how to make sure you’ve got exactly what you need to get the job done.

So, how many portable toilets do you actually need?

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend one toilet for every 50 people. But let’s be honest – every event’s different, and that number might go up depending on a few key things. Are your guests likely to be drinking? Is it an all-day affair or just a few hours? Will there be kids and families on-site, or mainly adults? All of these factors can shift the number you’ll need, and it’s always better to overestimate than run short.

And let’s not forget accessibility. If your event is open to the public, you’ll need to factor in accessible toilet options too. In many cases, accessible toilets are more than just nice to have; they’re a legal requirement.

Portable toilet hire made easy

At Smiths Hire, we’ve got a proper range of toilet hire options to suit events big and small. Whether you’re running a weekend festival or setting up a temporary outdoor market, we can supply you with exactly what you need.

The classic option

Our Portable Toilets come with everything you’d expect: full forearm sinks, soap dispensers, toilet roll, hand towels and a 7-litre recirculating flush tank to keep everything clean and hygienic. They’re easy to set up, low-maintenance, and reliable – just what you need when you’ve got a lot of moving parts to think about.

Take things up a notch with our hot wash toilets

If you’re looking to offer your guests or your VIPS a more comfortable option, our Hot Wash Portable Toilets are a proper step up. They come fitted with hot water and internal lighting when connected to a 110v or 240v power supply using a standard 3-pin socket, either through a portable generator or the mains. Ideal for events running into the evening or for areas where a basic unit just won’t cut it.

Each unit comes with a recirculating flush tank, a full forearm pedestal fresh water sink, soap dispenser, toilet tissue dispenser, a large 265-litre tank, a rounded and spacious interior, and ultra-smooth, stay-clean walls. It’s all the little details that help your guests stay comfortable at your event and keep things running smoothly throughout the day.

At Smiths Hire, we’re proud to be the trusted choice for event organisers across the North when it comes to portable toilet hire – not just for the quality of our equipment, but for the service that comes with it. We understand the pressures of running an event, and we’re here to make sure toilet facilities aren’t one of them.

Our team will handle delivery, so you can focus on delivering a great event. Need more than just toilets? We also have a range of  power, lighting, fencing, barriers and access hire equipment – everything you need for your event, all in one place.

With over 55 years of experience and 18 depots across the North, we’re equipped to support events of any size. Not sure how many toilets you’ll need? Just give us a call on 0333 323 2100 or visit your local depot. Our friendly team will help you choose the right setup and sort delivery to fit your schedule.