Event Island
Event Island Stevenage is a central space in the heart of Stevenage town centre, situated where the former bus station used to be. It was built as part of the town centre regeneration programme and offers green space to facilitate community interaction with new planting, informal play areas, and space to host a wide range of performances and events.
Naming the space
The space was named following a competition organised by the council involving pupils from local schools, during which over 250 entries were received. The competition winning name - Event Island Stevenage - was then taken forward by a graphic design company who designed a colourful and versatile logo for the space, based on the original idea of the island.
The stage
A stage has been installed on the exhibition square, facing the rest of Event Island, and with an expansive viewing area for visitors to watch performances. The stage offers ‘plug and play’ facilities with integrated lighting and sound system. The overall structure is a converted shipping container with hydraulics to allow the roof to lift and the floor to fold down. As well as being created from reused materials, the stage is low carbon and solar-powered.
Biodiversity
Enhancing the limited green space in the centre of the town was a key requirement of Event Island Stevenage, additionally increasing biodiversity and encouraging wildlife in the heart of a previously concrete space.
The planting is a mix of hardy and low maintenance evergreen shrubs, grasses and decorative plants and flowers, that have been selected to bring texture and colour to the site all year round.
In addition to the installation of over 1,800 plants, all trees have been retained on site and 11 new ones have been planted. The park area consists of a mixture of turf and meadow turf, creating an attractive, robust, and richly coloured meadow - a haven for wildlife all year round.
Events Programme
To find out more about what’s on in Stevenage, visit our dedicated Stevenage Town Centre website where you’ll find our upcoming events.
If you’re interested in organising your own event at Event Island Stevenage, visit our Event Notification page for more information and guidance about organising an event.
If you are interested in utilising the stage at Event Island Stevenage, please get in touch by completing an enquiry form.
Hiring the stage and or the space
We need the lead times below for hiring the stage or space.
- 6 weeks prior to the event for small events (less than 500 people attending)
- 12 weeks prior to the event for larger events (more than 500 people attending)
Halloween event
Crowds enjoying the show
King Charles III Coronation event
Photograph courtesy of Vince Brown - Red Band Media
King Charles III Coronation event
Acoustic Artist performing
Easter event
Showtime
Halloween event
Street Food stand
Halloween event
Harry Potter performance
Halloween event
Crowds enjoying the show
King Charles III Coronation event
Photograph courtesy of Vince Brown - Red Band Media
Hire charges
Event Island space
The cost to hire the space includes a £24 refundable deposit
| Item | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Use of space (event island only or stage booking) | Any number of hours as pre approved application | £120 |
| Use of space (event island only or stage booking) - Commercial | Any number of hours as per approved application | £120 |
| Use of space (event island only or stage booking)- Charity rate | Any number of hours as per approved application | £50 |
Stage technician
| Available for use | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm | 0 to 2 hours | £20 per hour | Free of charge to schools and charities |
| Over 2 hours | £40 per hour | Minimum 2 hours | |
| Monday to Friday between 5pm and 9pm | 0 to 4 hours | £40 per hour | Minimum 2 hours |
| Saturday / Sunday between 9am and 9pm | 0 to 12 hours | £40 per hour | Minimum 2 hours |
Equipment hire
| Equipment | Availability | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use of LED wall lights | N/A | Included in stage technician fee | N/A |
| Use of audio equipment | N/A | Included in stage technician fee | N/A |
| Microphone hire | 5 available | £10 per microphone | Set-up by stage technician |
| Microphone stand hire | 5 available | £5 per microphone stand | Set-up by stage technician |
Marketing
| Advertising Type | Number | Fee | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-event snap frame advertising | 4 frames | £5 per frame, per week | Maximum 4 weeks (depending on availability) |
| Use of A-board during event | 2 A-boards | £5 per board, per event | - |
Tables and Chairs
| Type | Number | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage German table and 2 benches | 25 sets | £50 | The fee is for any quantity, whether 1 set or all 25 |
| Black attachable bollards | 11 bollards | £50 | The fee is for any quantity, whether 1 set or all 11 |