Beach Event Ground Protection for Brighton’s Big Screen Festival
Brighton’s Big Screen is an outdoor film festival that attracts thousands of visitors to the beachfront each summer. With five weeks of films, food, and live entertainment planned, the organisers needed safe pedestrian access across the beach site. Late in the planning stages, they identified an urgent health and safety requirement for ground protection, particularly to manage wet-weather conditions.
The Challenge: Last-Minute Safety Compliance on Sand in Wet Weather
In the final stages of preparation, the event team needed an immediate solution to meet health and safety requirements. The key risk was pedestrian movement across sand, where rain or damp conditions can quickly create slippery, uneven areas and make access difficult for large crowds.
With time running out before opening, the organisers needed a dependable ground protection system that could be supplied and installed quickly, without disrupting the wider event build.
Our Solution: Overnight Delivery of MultiTrack Pedestrian Walkway Mats
The Brighton Big Screen team contacted GroundGuards for urgent support. We recommended MultiTrack ground protection mats as a robust, non-slip option suited to pedestrian traffic on variable surfaces.
Fast Installation Without Machinery
MultiTrack mats are strong but lightweight, allowing rapid installation without mechanical handling. Once on site, the mats were laid quickly to form safe, navigable walkways across key sections of the beach for thousands of festivalgoers.
Rapid Response Logistics
GroundGuards acted immediately. Within 24 hours of the initial call, a full delivery of MultiTrack mats was on its way to Brighton, helping the organisers meet their safety deadline without delaying the event.
Results: Safe Beach Access for Thousands of Visitors
With safe walkways in place, the event went ahead smoothly and without interruption. The organiser later shared:
“We honestly could not have opened without your track mats! We were tremendously impressed with your professionalism, flexibility and wonderful attitude – particularly with last minute additions to our order!”
The mats provided secure access for attendees regardless of weather, while helping to protect the beach surface throughout the festival.
Key Lessons for Outdoor Events on Sand and Coastal Sites
- Build ground protection into event planning early, but keep a contingency option for late-stage safety sign-off requirements.
- Prioritise non-slip pedestrian matting for sand, where wet weather can quickly increase slip risk and reduce accessibility.
- Lightweight systems enable fast installation without machinery, helping maintain momentum during tight build schedules.
- Rapid delivery capability matters -event timelines often leave little room for delays once public opening dates are fixed.
- Define walkways clearly in high-footfall areas to improve crowd flow and reduce ground disturbance.
Speak to GroundGuards About Event Ground Protection on Sand and Sensitive Surfaces
Planning an event on sand, grass, or other sensitive surfaces? GroundGuards provides fast, practical ground protection to improve safety, accessibility, and site condition throughout your event. Contact our team to discuss the right solution for your venue.
