A Machynlleth based company has today started the long process of dismantling some of the biggest tents at Glastonbury, after another year providing a vital service for the iconic festival.

Several crew members from Top Cat Big Tops, a Machynlleth company based in the Old Slate Yard on Gasworks Lane, are busy taking down tents at Glastonbury after supplying one of the biggest music festivals in the world with some of their biggest tents.

The company supplied three giant tents to the festival, a 18x36m black and grey one, a 16x24m rainbow coloured big top and a 28x27m purple and silver tent.

As 200,000 people descended on the festival in Somerset held from June 26 to June 30, putting up tents for a crowd that size was no small feat.

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Liz Jenkins, from Top Cat Big Tops, explained: “We’ve had 10 crew members out there, with some staying for the festival itself and others returning so on Monday they can start packing everything up.

“They’re all there in the days leading up to the festival to put them up, but have to be quicker when it comes to taking them down again.

Top Cat Big Tops crew members Lucy Jenkins and George Horne at the 2024 Glastonbury festival. (Image: Top Cat Big Tops)

“One of our tents is actually going to Swansea this Sunday so it needs quite a quick turnaround. We’ve got to be on the ball with logistics.

“Going to Glastonbury each year has been a big part of our business for a while now and it’s always been a brilliant experience.

“We’re usually in talks with Glastonbury organisers in November for the following year’s event. They know when they want the tents up by and we have to get them up by then so the festival’s interior designers can come in and do their work.”

While some of Top Cat Big Tops crew leave, some stay for the full festival, camping in the crew section. This year’s packed schedule included headliners like Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA, as well as Little Simz, Avril Levigne, Shania Twain and many more.  

Ms Jenkins added: “Our crew members who stay always have a brilliant time. They take full advantage of the festival for an incredible weekend experience.

“We’re always looking for new crew members and it shows how unique of an experience it can offer, mixing with such a different crowd and interacting with completely different environments. A far cry from just putting up tents.”