UK Christmas Markets are fast becoming one of the biggest pre-Christmas attractions, drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. So don't miss out, book your place at the Christmas market everybody's talking about!

The Dickens Christmas Market will take place from Friday 3rd to Sunday 19th December 2010 in the spectacular grounds of Kent's Rochester Castle, overlooking the River Medway and just a few steps from Rochester's picture postcard Victorian High Street, home to the ever-popular Dickensian Christmas Festival, which annually attracts more than 80,000 people over the first weekend in December alone.

Trading Periods

Trading periods of 8, 9 and 17 days are available starting from just £895.00

Our selection criteria

We realise how important it is to create a balanced market for visitors with a variety of goods at a wide range of prices and we are keen to encourage hand crafted, original, home produced and specialist goods, which enhance the seasonal nature of the event. In addition we want to attract international, particularly German traders, offering unique products reflecting the markets origin as a traditional German style market.

Prices include a pre-erected German style Christmas chalet

Trading chalets start at just £88 per day and include a pre-erected German style Christmas chalet, lighting and a 4 amp power supply. There are two size chalets (2.5mx2m & 5mx2m), with a choice of either a 'barn door' or 'countertop' fascia. It may also be possible for traders to use their own catering units, however so as to maintain the German market theme, traders would be required to have a purpose built fascia fitted to the front of their unit.

We'll bring the coach groups too!

The Dream Workshop Ltd is the Events division of the Kent based Albatross Group of Companies and as such, has a wealth of experience in marketing, promoting and organising specialist events. Established for over 25 years, Albatross Travel Group is the UK's largest wholesaler to the coach industry. So in addition to operating the event itself, we will also attract hundreds of coach groups to Rochester throughout the duration of the market.

Stallholder Information	Application Form	Terms & Conditions

Our selection criteria is designed to:

• Create a balanced market for visitors with a variety of goods at a range of prices
• Encourage handcrafted, original, home produced and ?specialist goods, which enhance the seasonal nature of the event
• Promote Medway and Kent based businesses, especially where similar products are available from a number of applicants
• Attract international, particularly German traders, offering unique products reflecting the markets origin as a traditional German style market

Please note: we will not accept applications from traders selling general market goods such as; general clothing, DVD's, day-to-day foods etc.

Communal services

We will provide all communal facilities required for the market, such as signage, portable toilets, public address system, 24hr security, electricity, general cleaning and refuse collection services

Stallholder risks and obligations

Whilst the organisers will take all reasonable steps to promote a successful event, the participation is at the stallholder's risk and traders must comply with all of their obligations in relation to safety and conduct. These will be fully explained at the offer stage and will become binding on all stallholders accepted.

Basic site prices include:

• The 'space to trade'
• Pre-erected German market style chalet
• One double 4 amp electric socket
• One fluorescent light fitting in a 2.5m chalet & two in a 5m chalet
• High quality chalet padlock

Not included in the price:

• VAT (applicable rate at time of payment)
• Additional lighting and electrical sockets - see booking form for details
• Additional furniture, shelving units, Gridwall etc - see booking form for details
• On-site storage space - see booking form for details

Discounts & Surcharges

To attract high quality, original, charity and local traders to our event we offer a range of discounts

Up to 50% Charity Discount

We have set aside a limited number of chalets to promote good causes and instill a true ‘Christmas Spirit’. Charitable and not-for-profit agencies such as Rotary and Round Table may apply for charitable discounts.

10% Local Trader Discount*

For traders within the Medway towns boundary or 5% elsewhere in Kent, to support local businesses and stimulate the local economy.*

*To qualify for this discount you must supply evidence that your business, workshop or home is within the Medway towns or Kent. For the purpose of local discounts, local authority boundaries will apply. A photocopy of your council tax or business rates bill/invoice should be supplied as evidence.

10% Multi-stall Discount

We are pleased to offer a discount for traders taking multiple chalets

10% Continental Trader Discount

Discounts apply to the basic trading space only.

Food & Drink

To enhance the Christmas Market, we are keen to encourage a wide range of original food outlets including regional and international fayre and healthy eating options.

Food Surcharge - £350 (£200 for 8/9 Day trading)

To cover the additional costs of general cleaning and litter collection a surcharge will apply to traders selling the following: Hot beverages such as tea/coffee & hot chocolate, traditional fried foods including, burgers, sausages, hotdogs, doughnuts, baked potatoes, crepes etc.

Alcohol Surcharge - £170 (£100 for 8/9 day trading)

This additional levy will apply to any trader selling alcohol for public consumption. Even though the site is licensed, Traders must also be compliant with the Licensing Act 2003.

All prices are based on traders occupying a pre-erected German style Christmas chalet. Traders who wish to use their own catering trailer would be required to have a chalet style facia fitted to the facade of their unit.

Market Opening Times

Sunday to Thursday - 10h00 to 19h00 & Friday to Saturday 10h00 to 21h00 (Please note; these times are provisional and subject to confirmation)

Setting Up

Stallholders set up day will be Thursday 2nd December from 07h00 until 21h00. In certain circumstances some Traders who require additional setup time, may subject to agreement be allowed in on Wednesday 1st December. All Chalets must be fully stocked and ready for business on Friday 3rd December at 10h00.

Stocking Up

Stallholders will be able to re-stock on a daily basis between 07h00 to 09h30. Please note a rota system may be employed and these times will be strictly enforced.

Stallholder Parking

We are working closely with Medway Council to provide a designated 'stallholder' parking area which hopefully will be within walking distance of the Dickens Christmas Market at Rochester Castle.

Stall Sharing

For smaller traders this is often the answer to sharing the workload and filling the chalet with enough stock. See booking form for more details.

Stallholder Dress Code

To enhance to atmosphere of the Dickens Christmas Market we request that all of your staff wear Dickensian/Victorian/Festive style costume at all times.

Entertainment

There will be a schedule of organised entertainment for the Dickens Christmas Market. This will include; carol singers, festive bands, street entertainers, costumed characters and festive piped music will play throughout the market. Please note: The first weekend of the market coincides with Rochester’s ‘Dickensian Christmas Festival’, a well established and hugely popular event attracting over 80,000 visitors each year.

Staffing

If you operate another business or have stalls at other venues and are struggling to find enough staff, or if you live in another part of the country and don’t want to have to pay for local accommodation, we may be able to help. Please contact us for further details.

Accommodation for stallholders

We have numerous hotels and B&B's contracted for this event. If you are looking for accommodation for your staff then again we may be able to assist. Please contact us for further details.