1. What a mascot hire includes

What a mascot hire includes

When you hire a mascot through us, you get a performer in full costume who interacts with your guests, poses for photos and creates energy at your event. The performer arrives in time to brief you on the plan, get changed and be ready to start at the scheduled time. Most mascots work in 1 to 2 hour sets, with a break built in if the hire runs longer. The costume is theirs, we handle the laundry and maintenance. You do not need to provide anything except a quiet space for them to change.

Our mascots are trained to work safely in crowds, follow your event brief closely and adapt to your audience. They know how to move in costume, how much physical interaction is right for your crowd, and when to step back. If you need the mascot to do specific actions, announce a game or work alongside other entertainment, tell us when you book and we will brief the performer in advance.

The performer travels to your venue with their own costume. If the venue is within London, they usually arrive by car or public transport. For outside London, travel time and mileage are factored into the quote.

2. Mascots for different event types

Mascots for different event types

Mascots work well at many events. At corporate team days and summer parties in City livery halls or Mayfair hotels, a character adds fun without needing stage setup. At children's parties and school events, mascots are often the highlight. Weddings in the Cotswolds or Thames-side venues use mascots to greet guests and create photo moments. Brand activations and product launches use mascots to draw crowds and make the brand memorable. Venue entertainment at hotels, restaurants and leisure centres works when the mascot can move around and interact with customers.

The key is matching the character to your event. A classic cartoon character works at family and kids events. A branded mascot or a more niche character suits corporate or themed events. Tell us the tone of your event, your audience age and what you want the mascot to do, and we will suggest the right fit.

3. Booking lead times and availability

Booking lead times and availability

Give us at least two weeks for a London booking and three to four weeks if you need a mascot outside London or for a specific character. Popular characters and peak seasons (late spring, summer, December and half-terms) book up faster, so earlier notice helps. If you need something urgent, email or call us and we will check availability.

Availability varies by character and location. We have multiple performers across the UK, so even if one is booked, we can often find an alternative. The sooner you contact us with your dates and requirements, the more choices you will have.

4. Space, power and technical needs

Space, power and technical needs

Mascots need very little technical setup. A costume typically takes up a large locker, cubicle or private space to change. Make sure there is a quiet, clean space at the venue where the performer can put on and take off the costume without being watched. This should be cool or temperature-controlled if possible, since costumes can be warm.

If you want the mascot to make announcements or the character to have a microphone, let us know. Most mascots perform without sound, but some venues and events use a wireless mic. No complex rigging or staging is needed. The mascot interacts at ground level, around tables or in open areas.

Check with your venue about noise limits and curfews. Some hotel ballrooms, livery halls and wedding venues have noise clauses or end times. Mascots are quiet performers, but if music or dancing is planned near them, confirm the venue is happy with the activity and timing.

5. Insurance and risk assessments

Insurance and risk assessments

All our mascot performers carry public liability insurance (PLI) at 10 million GBP. Most corporate venues, hotels and wedding venues ask for a copy of the PLI certificate before the event. We will provide it when you book. If the venue asks for a risk assessment or a specific insurance schedule, tell us in advance and we will supply it.

Venues sometimes ask whether the mascot will interact with children in specific ways (high-fives, picking up small children, etc.). Tell us what the venue or your client has asked for, and the performer will work within those boundaries. Our mascots are trained to keep interaction fun and safe.

6. Costs and what affects price

Costs and what affects price

Mascot hire prices depend on several factors: how long the performer works, which character you choose, where the event is and whether they need to travel outside London. A 1 to 2 hour local London booking typically costs 150 to 250 GBP. A full day (4 to 6 hours) or a booking outside London usually runs 250 to 400 GBP or more. If the venue is in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow, travel and mileage increase the cost.

Some mascots are more in demand or more complex to hire (licensed characters, custom builds, rare animals). These cost more. A simple, popular character is usually at the lower end. Weekend and peak-season bookings may also have a premium, depending on how busy we are.

These are guide ranges. The only way to know the exact price is to get a quote. Send us the date, location, venue type, how long you need the mascot and any specific character requests, and we will give you a firm number.

Mascot hire type	Duration	Typical range (GBP)	Key factors
Local London event	1 to 2 hours	150 to 250	Character, day of week, notice
Full day London	4 to 6 hours	300 to 450	Breaks included, character demand
Outside London	1 to 2 hours	200 to 350	Travel, location, notice
Multi-day or festival	8+ hours spread	400+	Location, character, crew support

7. Mascot hire across the UK

Mascot hire across the UK

We book mascots across London and the rest of the UK. In London, we work from Central venues like Park Lane and Mayfair hotels down to warehouse spaces in East London, marquee weddings in South London and private gardens. Outside London, we regularly book in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol and Leeds. We also cover smaller towns and country house venues like those in the Cotswolds and along the Thames.

The further from London, the more notice we typically need and the more travel costs. If you are booking a venue in Scotland, the North West or the West Country, get in touch early. We will confirm the performer and any travel fees upfront.

What happens next

To book a mascot or get a quote, send the date, venue type, location (town or city), guest count and any character preferences to [email protected] or use our online contact form at https://bella-entertainment.co.uk/contact-us/. Include any special requests like PLI insurance scheduling or venue requirements. We will get back to you within one working day with availability and a quote.

Related entertainment at your event

Mascots often work well alongside other entertainment. If you want to combine a mascot with live music, dancers or kids entertainment, we can arrange that too. We book professional dancers and musicians for events across London and the UK. We also offer kids entertainment packages that pair mascots with games and activities for children's parties and family events.

Frequently asked questions

Can the mascot arrive early to set up or meet the organiser?

Yes. Tell us when you book that you need the performer to arrive early, and we will arrange it. They typically arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the start time to get changed and be briefed. If you need them earlier for a full meet-and-greet or rehearsal, we can arrange that, but it may affect pricing.

What if a guest is uncomfortable around the mascot?

The performer is trained to respect boundaries. If a child or adult is nervous, the mascot will keep their distance and not force interaction. Let the performer know if there are any guests with phobias or anxieties, and they will adjust their approach. Mascots are there to add fun, not to upset anyone.

Can the mascot appear in photos or videos?

Yes. That is often part of the brief. The mascot will pose for photos and videos. If you want professional photography or video, arrange that with a photographer or videographer separately. The mascot works within standard event photography and guests' personal phones.

Do you hire out just the costume without a performer?

No. We hire a trained performer in the costume. A performer knows how to move, interact and perform safely. The costume alone would not work at an event.

What happens if the mascot becomes too hot or needs a break?

Costumes can be warm, especially in summer or when the mascot is active. The performer will take breaks as needed. For hires over two hours, we build in a 15 to 20 minute break so the performer can cool down and hydrate. If the event is outdoors in very warm weather, tell us and we can adjust the schedule or ensure shade and water are available.

Can you deliver a mascot to a venue I do not have a contact for?

Yes. Give us the full venue address, postcode and a contact at the venue (name and phone). We will check access, parking and any venue rules before the day. If you do not have a direct contact, provide as much detail as you can and we will help you find it or coordinate with the event space directly.