Dealer FAQ
Application Process
Applications for RakuCon 2026 open at 8pm on Tuesday 27th January 2026 and are open for two weeks, closing on Tuesday 10th February 2026.
Once applications have closed, we will review all applications and respond to everyone in late February/early March. Invoices will also be sent out at this time.
Event Date
Saturday 22nd August - Sunday 23rd August 2026
Setup: Friday 21st August 2026
Event Address
Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, Portland St, Manchester M1 4PH
Table Information
There are 2 different table sizes available:
6x2ft
4x2ft
Backing tables are available for an extra cost.
Power may be available, if you need it please make sure to let us know prior to the event so we can do our best to accommodate you.
Tables include two chairs, if you need any additional chairs please let us know, and if there are any spare available we will be more than happy to provide you with an extra one.
Staff
You will be allocated two staff passes per booking. If you require an additional staff pass then please let us know prior to the event via the application form.
Table Sharing
We are happy for artists to share tables at RakuCon. If you wish to share a table with another artist, we ask that you do one of two things:
1. Submit a single application containing both artists details (emails, social media, etc)
OR
2. Submit an application each and make it clear that you'll be sharing a table, and who with
Pricing
Please note table prices do not include VAT.
6x2 Front tables: £100 each (ex VAT)
6x2 Backing tables: £50 each (ex VAT)
4x2 Front tables: £70 each (ex VAT)
4x2 Backing Tables: £40 each (ex VAT)
Extra staff passes: £35 each (ex VAT)
Payments
If your application is accepted, you will receive an invoice from us in late February/early March 2026.
You can choose to either pay a 50% deposit or pay in full. If you pay the deposit then please make sure to pay the remainder of the invoice no later than 2 months prior to the event (Deadline: 22nd June). We will send you a reminder a few weeks before the deadline.
What you can sell
We’re huge supporters of artists and are happy to confirm our event will allow the sale of fan art and fan made items.
The sale of bootlegs, traced items, and AI generated art are strictly prohibited at RakuCon. Any applications not following this rule will be denied.
Any dealer accepted into RakuCon found to be selling prohibited items during the convention may be subject to removal from the event at the discretion of the organisers.
Floor Plan & Information Pack
A detailed floor plan and information pack will be made available to accepted dealers a few months prior to the event. This will be sent directly to your email.
Dealer Set Up Times
Friday 21st August: 2pm - 8pm
Saturday 22nd August: 8am - 10am
Refunds
In the unlikely event that the event is unable to go ahead, you will have the option to either receive a refund or transfer your booking to a future event. In all other circumstances, dealer tables are strictly non-refundable.
Parking
The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel offers its own partially covered car park, requiring vehicle registration at reception for a fee, however availability of spaces is limited and there is a height restriction.
Parking Height Restrictions: Height limit of 6' 11" (approx. 2.1m).
Process: Must register your vehicle at hotel reception; failure to do so may result in fines.
The closest car park with no height restriction is the Manchester Bloom Street car park, located less than a 5 minute walk away from the hotel.
Directions
Address:
Mercure Manchester Piccadilly
Portland Street, Manchester, M1 4PH
From the north via M6 / M61
Follow Manchester signs onto the M60. Leave the M60 at Junction 12 and join the M602 Salford. At the end of the motorway, follow signs for A57 Manchester (Regent Road). Continue for approximately 1 mile, passing under the railway bridge and continuing onto A57M (Mancunian Way). Stay on the A57M and take the exit signed City Centre / Piccadilly. Follow signs for Piccadilly Gardens, then turn onto Portland Street. The hotel is located on Portland Street, overlooking Piccadilly Gardens.
From Yorkshire via M62 / M60
Leave the M62 at Junction 17, signed Manchester City Centre, and join the A56. Continue towards Manchester for approximately 4 miles (Bury New Road becoming Great Ducie Street). Pass under the railway bridges and continue straight into the city centre. Follow signs for Piccadilly Gardens and turn onto Portland Street. The hotel is located on the left-hand side.
From Derbyshire via A6
Follow A6 signs towards Manchester City Centre. Continue straight, passing under the railway bridge and following signs for Piccadilly. Proceed into the city centre and follow signs for Piccadilly Gardens. Turn onto Portland Street. The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly is located here.
From North Wales & Chester via M56
Follow the M56 towards Manchester, passing Manchester Airport. At the end of the motorway, continue straight onto the A5103 (Princess Parkway). Continue for approximately 4 miles into the city centre. At the roundabout beneath the road, follow signs for A57M Sheffield / City Centre. Exit towards Piccadilly Gardens and continue onto Portland Street.
The hotel is located overlooking Piccadilly Gardens.
From the south & Midlands via M6
Leave the M6 at Junction 19 and follow the A556 Manchester. Join the M56 Manchester and follow directions as for North Wales & Chester above.
From Merseyside via M62
Leave the M62 at Junction 12 and join the M602 Manchester. At the end of the motorway, follow the A57 Manchester and continue as per northern routes above.
Public transport:
Piccadilly station – 7 minute walk
Exit Manchester Piccadilly Station following signs for City Centre. Walk straight ahead along Piccadilly Approach towards Piccadilly Gardens. Continue past Piccadilly Gardens and turn left onto Portland Street. The Mercure Manchester Piccadilly is located a short distance along on the right-hand side.
Oxford Road station – 10–12 minute walk
Exit the station onto Whitworth Street. Turn left and walk towards Piccadilly Gardens. Continue straight and turn right onto Portland Street. The hotel is located overlooking Piccadilly Gardens.
Victoria station
Take the Metrolink tram to Piccadilly Gardens. Exit the tram stop and walk onto Portland Street. The hotel is directly adjacent to Piccadilly Gardens.
Additional Info
Once we have received your deposit or full payment we will then begin advertising your business across our website and on our social platforms. You are more than welcome to send over a small bio about your business with links to your website and social media as we would love to promote you prior to the event. Please note we can only begin advertising once the invoice has been fully paid.
Dealer information packs will be sent to you via email prior to the event. This pack will include all the information you need making trading at our event as easy as possible.
This FAQ also acts as our T&C’s, by paying the invoice you agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined on this page.
Further Enquiries
If you have any questions then don’t hesitate to contact us via our social media or email: info@rakuevents.com
