What’s in a name?

The birth of T L Marquee Hire

The Millennium

The year is 1999. Everyone is talking about the ‘Millennium bug’ and the fear it might crash computers worldwide. PayPal has been labelled one of the worst business ideas of the year. The Euro has just been introduced, and DVD players are only just beginning to replace VHS tapes.

Meanwhile, at Rathvilly Farm in Northamptonshire, Tim and Louise Byrne are running a successful smallholding business supplying free-range eggs. At the time, few could have predicted how much would change over the next two decades. We recently caught up with Louise at her home in Milton Malsor to reflect on those early days. In particular, we talked about how a simple idea grew into one of the leading marquee hire specialists in the Midlands.

The Idea

Tim and Louise bought Rathvilly Farm as a plot of land in 1992. Over the following years, they built their home and established a chicken farming business. Although business was strong, they were always looking for new opportunities. With their daughter Jess’s 18th birthday approaching in 2001, the family began planning how to celebrate. Jess had something more ambitious in mind than the local village hall. She wanted a marquee at home. The family arranged a couple of Northampton marquee hire meetings to explore their options. However, in true Tim and Louise fashion, those early conversations sparked a different idea altogether.

The First Marquee

Rather than hiring, they began researching the purchase of a marquee for the event. At the same time, they saw the potential to start a Northampton marquee hire business for local clients. Louise describes it as a “suck it and see” approach. However, their mindset was clear from the start. If they were going to do it, they would do it properly.

Initially, they considered buying a used structure. However, they soon decided that only a brand-new marquee would meet their standards. The order was placed well in advance, nearly a year before Jess’s party in October 2001. When it arrived, the structure was laid out across the lawn like a giant jigsaw puzzle, with no instructions in sight.

The First Events

Before Jess’s birthday, Tim and Louise had already secured their first bookings. Their first paid event took place at Whittlebury Hall in Northampton. The event itself ran smoothly. However, the setup was far from straightforward. With no dedicated transport or team, the Byrne family handled everything themselves. They borrowed a vehicle from a neighbouring farm and worked together to complete the installation.

Louise recalls:

“The courtyard was in full view of all the hotel and spa guests. They all watched the unpacking and erection with interest”. With the pressure on, there were a few lively moments. At one point, their son Joe called out to his “Mum”, only for Tim to quickly correct him and insist he use “Louise” to sound more professional.

Building the Business

The early days were not without challenges. In February 2001, foot-and-mouth disease affected many rural areas. As a result, bookings slowed significantly. However, by the time Jess’s birthday arrived later that year, things had begun to improve. In 2002, Tim and Louise introduced their first marketing strategy. This included adverts in the Yellow Pages, the local village magazine and the Chronicle & Echo. They even considered naming the business with an “A” to appear first in the listings. In the end, they kept it simple. And so, T&L Marquee Hire was born.

Growth and Recognition

As the internet grew, the business evolved. The first website launched in the mid-2000s and gradually replaced traditional advertising. When their son Joe joined full-time after graduating in 2004, the business entered a new phase of growth. Over time, TL became the preferred supplier for a number of high-profile venues and events. These included country estates, major festivals and well-known corporate clients such as NEXT and Joules. Throughout this growth, Tim and Louise remained closely involved in the business.

Today

Today, TL Marquee Hire operates nationally. However, the business remains firmly connected to its roots. We continue to work closely with couples and clients across Northamptonshire, helping to create bespoke marquee spaces for weddings and events of all sizes.

Despite being a national provider, we remain close to our routes and continue to work with couples in the Northamptonshire area, helping them to plan their special day. You can read more about our local work here. Or, follow us on Instagram to view our latest events.