The NEC is the UK's highest-volume exhibition site and one of the cheapest major venues to build in, because almost every hall takes drive-in access. We design, engineer, produce and install bespoke stands across all twenty halls, with Midlands workshop capacity a short transfer from site.
NEC Birmingham at a glance
- Location
- Marston Green, Birmingham B40
- Halls
- Twenty interconnected halls, 186,000 sqm
- Access
- Drive-in access to most halls
- Typical build cost
- £420–£850 per sqm single-storey
- Double-deck
- £1,100–£1,700 per sqm of footprint
Halls and layout
Twenty halls arranged around a central concourse, with strong floor loading, generous height and drive-in access that lets trucks unload directly at the stand position. That single feature makes NEC builds faster and materially cheaper than most central-city venues.
Venue rules that shape the design
- Complex structures and anything above 4m require drawings and structural calculations signed off before build
- Rigging is ordered through the NEC's appointed rigging contractor
- Health and safety documentation — RAMS, insurance, contractor accreditation — is checked on arrival
- On-site storage is available, which keeps empty-case handling costs low
- Overnight working is possible during tenancy on most halls with prior agreement
How we build here
Because the NEC allows drive-in access and on-site storage, we build heavier and more finished elements off-site and land them complete. Clients typically see 10–15% lower install costs at the NEC than for the identical stand at a central London venue.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a bespoke exhibition stand at the NEC cost?
- Bespoke single-storey builds at the NEC typically run £420–£850 per sqm. A 6x6m custom stand generally lands between £38,000 and £62,000 including design, production, freight, install, dismantle and on-site project management.
- Are you accredited to build at the NEC?
- Yes. We carry the contractor accreditation, insurance and RAMS documentation the NEC requires, and manage the organiser submission process on the exhibitor's behalf.
- Can you store our stand between NEC shows?
- Yes. We store the structure, graphics and furniture in the Midlands, refresh graphics between shows and redeliver. Storage is charged annually and is usually far cheaper than rebuilding.
- Is the NEC cheaper to build at than ExCeL?
- Usually, yes. Drive-in hall access, on-site storage and lower regional labour rates mean the same stand typically installs for 10–15% less at the NEC than at ExCeL London.
Minimum project £30,000. Send the brief and we return a budget band, format recommendation and outline timeline within 24 hours. Call +44 207 183 3436 or email info@pearllemongroup.com.