Since September 2018, the Pentagon Food and Craft Market has become a lively hub for Medway’s talented makers, bakers, and creatives to showcase their unique products, forge connections, and flourish in their ventures. Nestled in the vibrant Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham, this market is not just a series of stalls—it's a dynamic community and a nurturing space for budding entrepreneurs to thrive together!
We’re excited to announce our new Friday markets, joining our beloved Saturday events! We warmly invite new traders and registered charities to embark on this wonderful journey with us. In this guide, you’ll learn how to get involved, what to look forward to, and why this is such a fantastic opportunity for your small business or community project. Let’s grow together!
Don’t miss your chance to take your brand to new heights in one of Medway’s most bustling shopping centers! Now is the time to make your mark and stand out from the competition!
When and Where It Happens
Location:
Ground Floor (Former Wilko Unit), Pentagon Court, Pentagon Shopping Centre, Chatham
Market Schedule:
- Fridays: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Both markets offer warm, indoor trading conditions with central visibility and consistent foot traffic.
Who Can Trade?
Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, we welcome a variety of businesses:
- Handmade and artisan products
- Home fragrance, skincare, bath products
- Unique gifts, jewellery, crafts, and artwork
- Artisan food and drink (baked goods, preserves, spices, etc.)
- Fashion accessories and textiles
- Books, stationery, wellness and lifestyle brands
If it's crafted with care and passion, there’s a place for it here.
Why the Friday Market Is Ideal for Traders
- Lighter footfall = more relaxed sales conversations
- Test new products or ideas midweek without the pressure of peak weekend shopping
- Ideal for side-hustlers, freelancers, retirees, and part-time traders
- Gives you a head start on your weekend revenue
- Lower stall density makes your brand stand out more
- Easier parking and setup conditions
Bonus: Friday traders have the option to keep their stall in place overnight if also trading on Saturday — making it a seamless two-day stretch.
Why the Saturday Market Is a Trader Favourite
- Highest footfall day — hundreds of shoppers pass through
- Often attracts families, tourists, and gift shoppers
- Better for premium sales, high-value items, and bulk buying
- A proven hub for returning customers and word-of-mouth referrals
- Lively, buzzing atmosphere ideal for storytelling and demo-style selling
What to Expect on a Typical Market Day
Whether you’re joining us on a Friday or a Saturday, the Pentagon Market is more than just a place to sell — it’s a full experience.
Get a detailed look into each day’s rhythm, including setup tips, customer flow, and trader-to-trader support:
- A Day in the Life at the Friday Market at the Pentagon Shopping Centre
- A Day in the Life at the Saturday Market at the Pentagon Shopping Centre
These guides walk you through exactly what to expect and how to prepare like a pro.
Realistic Possibilities – Could This Be You Next?
If you're wondering whether joining could truly benefit your business, here are three vivid, achievable scenarios that show what’s possible when you take action, show up consistently, and follow smart craft trading strategies.
Scenario 1: From Kitchen Table to Craft Favourite
You’ve been making skincare products in small batches — body butters, soaps, or hair oils — but haven’t had a consistent way to meet real customers. By joining the Pentagon Market weekly, starting Fridays to ease in, you begin testing products, gathering feedback, and offering samples.
Before long, you build a small but loyal group of returning customers. You introduce new scents based on demand. Within 2–3 months, you’re regularly selling out, trading both days, and receiving invites to Christmas events and boutique collaborations.
That could be your story — starting this Friday.
Scenario 2: Passion Turned Purpose After Retirement
You’ve recently retired and want to do more with your hands — woodcraft, metalwork, or upcycling. You apply for one Saturday a month to “try it out.” The setup is easy. You meet other traders who help guide your display and pricing.
To your surprise, your handmade pens and bowls get a lot of attention. A couple of sales. A few commissions. And more importantly, conversations that make you feel creatively alive again.
Your hobby becomes more than a pastime. It becomes a purpose.
Scenario 3: The First Step Towards Full-Time
You're employed but unfulfilled. You make jewellery, art, or candles after work — and dream of turning it into a business. You decide to commit to trading two Fridays a month while still working part-time.
Customers notice your work. A few return. A wholesaler takes your card. You begin building a brand, one week at a time. Eventually, with savings and sales aligned, you confidently make the leap — full-time creative entrepreneur.
This market could be your springboard.
These aren't just stories — they're possible outcomes for people just like you who decide to show up consistently, listen to their customers, and grow with intention.
With the Friday launch this week, the opportunity to shape your version of success is now clearer, more accessible, and closer than ever.
What Makes the Pentagon Food and Craft Market a Community Traders Want to Join?
The Pentagon Food and Craft Market isn’t just a trading space — it’s a trusted community, built since 2018, where local creatives, microbusinesses, and cause-driven organisations thrive together. Here's why this market stands out from the rest and why it's worth being part of — whether you're a trader, maker, or community voice:
1. Long-Established Market with Built-In Footfall
With over 7 years of consistent presence in the Pentagon Shopping Centre, we’ve built trust with shoppers, and traders benefit from repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals.
2. Support for Registered Charities and Community Causes
We’re proud to welcome registered UK charities and community initiatives to trade with us. Whether your goal is to raise awareness, fundraise, or showcase community talent, we offer:
- Stalls for charities and community initiatives, crafting for fundraising (subject to availability)
- A platform to sell handmade or promotional goods
- The chance to engage directly with Medway’s public
- Visibility in a friendly, supportive environment
- The opportunity to forge local partnerships
If your cause uplifts lives, we want to help you be seen and supported.
📧 To apply for a stall as a charity or community group, send your approval letter with charity number, Public Liability Insurance, and your idea to: info@tobiakiode.com
3. A Friendly, Supportive Environment for First-Time Traders
Our community is built on encouragement, not competition. First-time traders are introduced and supported. Guidance on display setup, pricing, and customer interaction is freely shared.
4. Ongoing Opportunities for Growth
Start small, trade once or twice a month, and grow at your own pace. Many traders now selling weekly began with just one table and a dream.
5. Built-In Marketing Amplification
All traders have the opportunity to be featured in our social media promotions, blog articles, newsletters, and behind-the-scenes trader stories. When you join us, we help you get seen — online and offline.
How to Apply as a Food and Craft Market Trader
- Complete the Application/Booking Form
https://forms.office.com/e/7iTfLidzJn - Complete the Market Trader Agreement Form
https://forms.office.com/e/L6Y04WhXZm - Send Your Public Liability Insurance
Minimum of £2 million cover is required.
📧 Send it to: info@tobiakiode.com
What Success Looks Like at the Pentagon Food and Craft Market
- 3–5 new customers each week
- Word-of-mouth referrals within 2–3 markets
- Increased social media following and brand reach
- Repeat sales and pre-orders
- Cross-sell opportunities and potential collaborations with fellow traders
- More confidence to scale, pitch or go full-time
Ready to Join? Here’s Why You Should Act Now
- Friday slots are limited and filling fast
- Saturday market spaces gets filled fast
- Our marketing is ramping up — be visible when shoppers discover us
- Early traders become regulars — get in now to build trust
- Midyear and holiday seasons offer huge revenue potential
Apply Today and Make the Pentagon Market Part of Your Business Story
Whether you're exploring your first sale or scaling a growing brand, the Pentagon Food and Craft Market is your place to be seen, supported, and successful.
This isn’t just a stall. It’s a platform for possibility. A starting point. A statement.
Join a trusted, growing community of traders, makers, and community voices making a real difference every week inside the Pentagon Shopping Centre.
Apply now: https://forms.office.com/e/7iTfLidzJn
Complete the Market Trader Agreement Form: https://forms.office.com/e/L6Y04WhXZm
Send Public Liability Insurance documents or questions to: info@tobiakiode.com
📍 Market Location: Pentagon Court, Chatham, Kent – inside Pentagon Shopping Centre