Flags for Businesses: Forecourt, Feather and Company Flags

The main business flags are a company or logo flag on a building flagpole, feather flags beside the road or entrance, forecourt flags on existing tall poles, and smaller items such as company table flags, cafe barrier banners and guard-rail flags. Which you need depends on where customers will see it and whether it goes indoors or out. Most advertising flags need express consent in England, while a house flag showing your company name or logo usually has deemed consent within limits.

Types of business flag compared

Each type of flag does a different job. The table below summarises the options we offer, with sizes and fittings taken from our own range.

Company and logo flags

A flag with your company name or logo flying from a flagpole is the most traditional business flag. It marks your premises from a distance and gives a sense of permanence. Our custom company logo flag is printed on durable knitted polyester, in sizes from 3x2ft to 8x5ft or a custom size. It can be single- or double-sided, finished with eyelets, rope and toggle or a pole sleeve, and a B1 fire-retardant option is available. Volume discounts help if you need flags for several sites.

Feather flags

Feather flags are tall, narrow flags on a multi-section pole. They are designed to be seen at eye level and are very effective at drawing attention to an entrance, a sale or an event. Our custom printed feather flag comes in two standard sizes:

• Small: a 60 x 200 cm flag on a 2.8 m pole.
• Large: a 90 x 340 cm flag on a 4.5 m pole.

Custom sizes are also available. You can order the flag only, or a kit with a pole and a base. The base you need depends on the surface:

• Ground spike: for grass and soft ground.
• Cross base: for hard, flat surfaces such as paving, or indoors.
• Water base: a base filled with water for extra weight on hard ground.
• Wall mount: fixes the pole to a wall.
• Car foot: sits under a vehicle wheel, useful on forecourts and at shows.

We also stock ready-made designs in our advertising flags category.

Forecourt flags

Forecourt flags are tall rectangular flags made to fit the poles already installed at dealerships, retail parks and similar sites. Our custom printed forecourt flag comes in 80 x 200 cm as standard, with 90 x 250 cm and 100 x 300 cm options plus custom sizes. It is sold as a flag only. Finishes include a sleeve at the top with eyelets down one side, sleeves top and bottom, or eyelets down one side, so measure your existing poles and check how the current flags are attached before ordering.

Reception, cafe and railing flags

Not every business flag needs a pole outside. A company table flag in satin on a chrome pole and base looks smart on a reception desk or in a meeting room. Cafe barrier banners brand the barriers around outdoor seating, and guard-rail flags turn railings and perimeter fencing into display space at venues and events. Our full custom items range includes all of these.

B1 fire-retardant fabric for indoor venues

If your flag will hang inside a public building, venue, exhibition hall, stadium or school, the venue may require fire-retardant materials. Our custom heavy flag uses 210gsm fabric that is B1 fire-retardant certified, and B1 material is also available for logo flags and feather flags. If you are exhibiting, check the venue's requirements before ordering, as it is much easier to specify B1 at the start than to replace a flag later.

Single-sided or double-sided

A single-sided flag is printed on one side and shows a mirror image on the back, so any text reads backwards from behind. This is fine for many uses and keeps costs down. A double-sided flag reads correctly from both sides, which matters for feather flags beside a road where traffic approaches from both directions, and for logo flags with prominent wording. If people will mostly see the flag from one direction, single-sided is often enough.

Planning and advertising consent

In England, flags are covered by the advertisement regulations, and the rules depend on the type of flag:

• House flags showing a company's name, logo or emblem have deemed consent, so you can fly one without applying, within limits on flag size, the number and height of poles and the location.
• Most advertising and feather flags need express consent, which means applying to the council.
• Standard conditions always apply: keep the flag clean and safe, have the landowner's permission and do not obscure road signs.

The flagpole itself may need planning permission separately from the flag. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules. If in doubt, check with your local planning authority before installing anything. Our guide to flagpole planning permission in the UK explains the limits in more detail.

Replace faded flags regularly

A business flag is part of your brand, and a faded or frayed flag sends the wrong message. All flags flown outdoors eventually wear, particularly in strong wind, sun and coastal air, and flying day and night shortens their life considerably. It is worth keeping a spare so you can rotate flags and replace a tired one straight away. Take flags down in strong winds, and trim and re-hem the fly end at the first sign of fraying.

For artwork advice before you order, read our custom printed flags guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need planning permission for a feather flag?

In England, most advertising and feather flags need express consent from the council. Check with your local planning authority, and note that the rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Can I fly my company logo flag without permission?

A house flag showing a company's name, logo or emblem has deemed consent in England, within limits on size, poles and location. Tighter limits apply in places such as Conservation Areas and National Parks.

What base do I need for a feather flag?

Use a ground spike on grass, a cross base or water base on hard surfaces, a wall mount to fix to a building, or a car foot on forecourts and at shows.

Do forecourt flags come with poles?

No. Our custom forecourt flags are sold as flag only, made to fit existing forecourt poles.

What does B1 fire-retardant mean?

B1 is a fire-retardant certification that many indoor venues, exhibitions, stadiums, schools and public buildings require. Our 210gsm heavy custom flag is B1 certified.

Explore our custom items to design feather flags, forecourt flags, logo flags and more for your business.