RakuCon Dealer FAQ

Application Process

Applications for RakuCon 2025 open at 8pm on Friday 22nd November 2024 and will be open for three weeks, closing on Friday 13th December 2024.

Once applications have closed, we will review all applications and respond to everyone in early 2025. Invoices will also be sent out at this time.

Event Date

Saturday 16th August and Sunday 17th August 2025.

Setup: Friday 15th August 2025.

Event Address

Pendulum Hotel & Conference Centre, Sackville St, Manchester M1 3BB

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 

  • 6x2 Front tables: £80 each

  • 6x2 Backing tables: £30 each 

  • 4x2 Front tables: £50 each

  • 4x2 Backing Tables: £20 each

  • Extra staff passes: £30 each

Payments

If your application is accepted, you will receive an invoice via PayPal in early 2025.

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: 16th 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 15th: 2pm - 8pm 

Saturday 16th: 8am - 10am

Refunds

All payments are refundable minus the PayPal processing fee up to 30 days before the event takes places, refund requests after this time period will only be processed at the sole discretion of staff.

In the unlikely scenario the event is unable to go ahead you will have the option of either receiving a refund or moving over your booking to a future event. 

Parking

Charles Street Car Park has closed.

We recommend NCP Circle Square car park which is a short 2 minute walk away:

NCP Circle Square

Oxford Road

Manchester

M1 7ED


For discounted parking:

Download the NCP APP entering the code ‘PENDHOT25’ when you arrive.

There are also limited parking spots available at the front of the hotel which may be free for unloading, however availability cannot be guaranteed. 

If you need any help with unloading then feel free to ask a staff member, if we are available we will be more than happy to help with moving your goods from your vehicle to your table space.

Directions

TO MANCHESTER FROM THE NORTH VIA M6 M61

Follow STRETFORD signs into M60. Leave at Exit 12 and join M602 SALFORD. At the end of the Motorway, follow A57 MANCHESTER sign (Regent Road) for approx. 1 mile. Proceed under the railway bridge, continuing into A57M (Mancunian Way). Continue on the A57M, take 2nd exit. Immediately fork right on the slip road into Sackville Street. Following University sign Turn Left at the Hive Bar onto Charles Street for the multi-story car park – M1 3BB

YORKSHIRE VIA M62/M60

Leave at Exit 17 signed Mcr CITY CENTRE and follow A56 towards Manchester for 4 miles (Bury New Road, becoming Gt. Ducie S.) Enter City under railway bridges and keep straight ahead, still on A56, into Deansgate. In ½ mile, after passing KENDALS store, left at traffic lights (sign UNIVERSITIES) into John Dalton St. and straight ahead at next lights into Princess St. in ½ mile, pass under railway bridge and immediately turn left at lights into Charles Street Multi-story car park – M1 3BB

DERBYSHIRE VIA A6

Follow A6 signs towards Manchester City Centre until reaching the flyover junction with A57M. Continue on A6 and in 200 yards pass under railway bridge and turn left at traffic lights into Fairfield St. Pass Sackville Building on left in 200 yards and then turn left at the next lights into Sackville Street. Pass under railway bridge and turn right into Charles Street for Multi-Story car park – M1 3BB

NORTH WALES & CHESTER VIA M56

Follow MANCHESTER signs, past Manchester Airport to end of M56 Motorway and keep straight ahead into A5103 MANCHESTER for 4 miles. On reaching roundabout beneath the road take 3rd exit following A57M SHEFFIELD signs to next roundabout; then 2nd exit up ramp to join A57M. Keep to nearside lane for 200 yards and leave at the next exit signed UNIVERSITY. Immediately fork right on slip road, following UNIVERSITY sign. Turn left at Hive Bar into Charles St. for Multi- Story car park M1 3BB

THE SOUTH & MIDLANDS VIA M6

Leave at Exit 19 and follow A556 MANCHESTER for 4 miles. Join M56 MANCHESTER at Roundabout and follow to end as for NORTH WALES & CHESTER

MERSEYSIDE VIA M62

Leave at Exit 12 and join M602 MANCHESTER. At end of the motorway follow A57 as for THE NORTH.

Public Transport

PICCADILLY STATION – 5 min walk

Head for escalators to the left of the concourse. Follow the signs for ‘TAXIS’. Immediately outside the station main entrance, turn right and cross London Road, then cross Fairfield Street to the Bulls Head pub. Turn down Lower Pump Street and proceed under the railway arch (passing Echoes Nursery on your right). Turn right onto Altrincham Street and Continue to the security lodge. Turn left and you will see Pendulum Hotel and Manchester Conference Centre.

OXFORD ROAD STATION – 5 min walk

At the bottom of the station approach, cross over Oxford St. into Whitworth St. (to the right of the Palace Theatre). Turn right before the University’s Sackville St. Building and continue along Sackville St. Under the railway and the Pendulum Hotel and Manchester Conference Centre is on your right.

VICTORIA STATION

Take the MetroLink Tram to Piccadilly Rail Station. Exit the street at platform level following signs for ‘Taxis’ and continue with directions for PICCADILLY STATION detailed above.


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