Southern Enterprise Awards 2021

67 | Southern Enterprise Awards 2021 Sep21126 Portsmouth based Funbooth Ltd is an event entertainment and venue decor specialist offering services throughout Hampshire and West Sussex. We find out more about the firm from Director, Laura Fazackarley. Starting out with photography in 2014, Funbooth Ltd has evolved over the years to its current offering which includes everything from DJs and hosts, to face paint and glitter bars, photobooths, venue decor and backdrops, sweet treats such as candy floss and popcorn, and even outdoor activities like a giant 17ft inflatable dartboard. The company works directly with the general public, as well as corporate clients, charities, and venues as a preferred supplier. “We’re able to provide a range of different services to bring the fun to all kinds of events and parties,” explains Laura Fazackarley, one of Funbooth’s Directors. “By offering lots of options, we ensure customers and clients get exactly what they’re looking for whilst only having to deal with one company.” Being situated in the South East means that Funbooth is surrounded by an array of stunning venues that it can enhance with its decor to suit many themes or styles. The firm’s location also makes it a fabulous hub for businesses and entrepreneurs, providing services for companies big and small. With a dedicated team of event operatives who are friendly, fun, and professional, Funbooth takes the personal approach to planning, getting the details recorded and liaising with the venues to ensure smooth set up, delivery and collections. “We put the fun in to events. Our team know that the work is required to ensure guests have an absolutely amazing time so we use training both in-office and on-the-job to ensure that our team can run their services professionally and competently. We use test events to check what works well and what needs to change.” In terms of qualities and skills, the role requires new recruits to be physical and hands-on, as well as being mobile due to working across Hampshire and West Sussex. “We look for people who are calm when in busy environments, able to have conversations with Best Corporate Event Entertainment & Venue Décor Provider – South East anyone, good with technology, have a high attention to detail and enjoy providing a service for others. As we’re in events, our work is flexible which is a great opportunity for people to earn some extra money when they want to.” During 2020, the events and hospitality industry stopped completely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which Laura believes has only served to highlight the importance of celebrating wherever possible with loved ones and making the most of precious time together. “It enabled the businesses to reflect on their ways of working, make changes and recognise that employees are the most critical asset,” she enthuses. “Providing rewards and recognition through events and bringing those that have worked from home for the best part of 18 months together in fun and varied environments is what we focus on now.” However, on the flip side, the pandemic meant a loss of business too, with venues closing, suppliers going under, and clients left desperately trying to reschedule and make changes to their well-made plans. Laura is now noticing a real challenge in availability as the world slowly returns to normal. “Whereas previously we would mainly be focused on events predominantly from Thursdays to Sunday, we’re now out every day of the week! People are combining celebrations when they have a party planned and a place to have one. Businesses are planning much further in advance (and they need to for the best suppliers) for their year-end and mid-season celebrations. Our diary is open until 2025 already and getting booked up!” Recently, Funbooth was bestowed with the well-deserved title of Best Corporate Event Entertainment & Venue Décor Provider – South East in the Southern Enterprise Awards 2021 and Laura could not be prouder of having received such a prestigious accolade. Having only re-opened in July of this year, it seems that business is booming and there are plans for the future. “We’re going to be offering new services and options for clients to tailor their services even more; we’re going to be growing our team and offering flexible work to more people, and we’re going to have plenty of parties!” Contact: Laura Fazackarley Company: Funbooth Ltd Web Address: funbooth.uk.com Funbooth Ltd