Bad Weather & Outdoor Bookings Policy

Our giant snow globes can be used indoors or outdoors, but as inflatable attractions they can only be installed and operated when weather and site conditions are safe.

The weather is outside our control, so for any outdoor booking we strongly recommend that the event organiser plans a suitable alternative indoor or sheltered location in advance.

If poor weather is forecast, please contact us as early as possible. Where practical, we will work with you to use your pre-arranged alternative location, provided it is suitable for the snow globe and meets the necessary access, space, power and safety requirements.

Our trained team has the final decision on whether the globe can safely be installed or operated. High or gusting winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain, flooding or waterlogged ground, snow, ice and other unsafe conditions may mean that installation or operation has to be delayed, suspended or cancelled.

For every outdoor installation our team takes an anemometer to site. Before the attraction opens to guests, the responsible operator carries out and signs off a pre-opening check.

• Confirmation that the attraction has been installed and sited correctly.
• Confirmation that site conditions are suitable for opening.
• The measured local wind speed, taken with the anemometer.
• The general weather conditions at the time of opening.
• The relevant weather and wind forecast for the operating period.

During outdoor operation, wind readings are repeated at regular intervals and again whenever weather or wind conditions noticeably change. A forecast is used for advance planning but never replaces a local measurement at the attraction itself.

The attraction does not operate above 24 mph (38 km/h). That is an upper limit rather than a target operating speed: operation may be suspended at a lower wind speed where gusts, local exposure, changing weather or other site conditions make continuing inappropriate. If the JBL manufacturer's documentation specifies a lower maximum wind speed for the particular equipment, that lower limit takes precedence.

• Light showers or drizzle do not necessarily mean the attraction closes — the pressurised globe can stay inflated and operational in appropriate light-rain conditions.
• In torrential or heavy rain, operation is paused. The globe may be deflated and protected until conditions have passed and it is safe to reinstall, reinflate and resume.
• Heavy snowfall may result in suspension or cancellation.
• UK summer temperatures have not historically presented us with an operational problem, although high temperatures can soften and stretch PVC materials, so conditions continue to be assessed on site.
• For outdoor installations we normally operate with 200 kg of ballast, distributed appropriately beneath and throughout the staged framework.

Where conditions become unsuitable during an event, the operator has authority to suspend operation until conditions return to an acceptable level. Where necessary the attraction is closed, deflated or otherwise made safe in line with the applicable operating procedure. Weather decisions ultimately depend on the conditions on site and on safe operation, rather than on a forecast alone.

Bad weather and unsuitable site conditions are outside GlobeHire's control. Our normal booking and cancellation terms therefore continue to apply, and refunds are not normally provided where a booking cannot proceed, or operating time is reduced or lost, because weather or site conditions make operation unsafe.

This is why we strongly recommend having a suitable alternative location available.

Yes. For outdoor events, we strongly recommend arranging appropriate adverse weather and/or event cancellation insurance.

This is separate from GlobeHire's own public liability insurance and needs to be arranged independently by the event organiser through a third-party insurance provider.

We recommend looking into cover at the time you make your booking, rather than waiting until poor weather appears in the forecast. Suitable cover can often be relatively inexpensive when arranged well in advance, whereas availability, cost and the circumstances covered will depend on the insurer and how close you are to the event.

GlobeHire does not provide, arrange or recommend a particular weather insurance policy or insurer. It is the client's responsibility to find suitable third-party cover and check that the policy meets the requirements of their event.

For every outdoor GlobeHire booking, we recommend:

• Plan an alternative location – ideally an indoor or suitably sheltered space at the same venue that could accommodate the globe if required.
• Tell us about the alternative site in advance – we can advise whether the proposed space, access and power arrangements are suitable.
• Arrange adverse weather/event cancellation insurance – ideally when confirming your booking.
• Keep in contact as the event approaches – if significant bad weather is forecast, speak to us as early as possible so that we can discuss the practical options.
• Safety always comes first. We will make reasonable efforts to fulfil every confirmed booking and work with you where conditions change, but we cannot operate an inflatable attraction where our trained team considers the conditions unsafe.