What you need for a square market

A square market needs more than stalls and tables. You will also need serving equipment, reusable tableware, coffee supplies, cool storage, lighting and safe power distribution. Buy or reserve items early, especially tents, market stalls, coffee machines and cable mats, because these are often hired rather than bought. Check the exhibitor count before shopping: the number of stalls determines how many tables, chairs, cups, signs and extension leads you need.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Market stallsqty 12
Tablesqty 18
Chairsqty 36
High tablesqty 4
Blanketsqty 18

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 80
Reusable cupsqty 120
Coffee cupsqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Scissorsqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 2

Equipment

Speakersqty 2
Mixer
Microphoneqty 2
Microphone standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Cable matsqty 8
Table lampsqty 6
Market stall numbersqty 12
Cash registersqty 4
Cash boxesqty 4
Cash machinesqty 4
Power banksqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Route signsqty 8
Crowd control barriersqty 10
Direction arrowsqty 12
First aid kit
Fire blanketqty 2
Toolboxesqty 2
Ratchet strapsqty 12
Tent weightsqty 12

Lighting

String lightsqty 6
LED lightsqty 12

Decorations

Buntingqty 8
Square bannersqty 4
Chalkboardsqty 8
Table décorqty 12
Name badge holdersqty 20

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 10
Waste binsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Washing-up basinsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Towel holdersqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 6 boxes
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Honey - 2 jars
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 24 bottles
- Spa Rood - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Bitterballen - 8 boxes
- Mini frikandels - 6 boxes
- Vegetarian snacks - 4 boxes
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 4 bags
- Cheese cubes - 3 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 4 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini bake-at-home rolls - 12 bags
- Unsalted butter - 2 kilos
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Vegetarian spread - 12 tubs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Napkins - 12 packs
- Paper Plates - 100 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 200 pieces
- Cocktail picks - 4 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Plastic storage containers - 20 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Trash bags - 60 pieces
- Compostable snack trays - 300 pieces
- Compostable forks - 300 pcs
- Drinking straws - 200 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant spray - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Microfiber cloths - 20 pieces
- Rubber gloves - 3 boxes
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 packs
- Bandages - 2 boxes
- Cooling gel - 2 tubes
- Sunscreen - 4 bottles
- Mosquito repellent - 2 bottles
- Duct tape - 6 rolls
- Cable ties - 2 bags
- Markers - 3 sets
- Ballpoint pens - 20 pieces
- A4 paper - 2 packs
- A3 paper - 1 pack
- Name stickers - 100 pieces
- Price stickers - 10 rolls
- Receipt rolls - 10 rolls
- Cash float - 1 stock

Tips

Plan one table and two chairs per seated stall unless exhibitors have confirmed their own furniture. Add high tables only where visitors need a quick place to stand and eat.
For drinks, allow two to three servings per visitor during the first hour, then adjust for the market’s length and weather. Chill drinks before opening and keep spare stock in coolers.
Use reusable plates, cups and cutlery, with at least 10% more than your expected peak use. Serving platters and tongs should be assigned to specific food stalls to prevent last-minute sharing.
Count power points by stall before buying extension cords and power strips. Keep cables covered with cable mats, and reserve table lamps or string lights if the market continues into low light.
Do not leave weather protection until the day before. Reserve party tents, blankets and other cover as soon as the forecast becomes uncertain, and keep printed signs and the site map in a waterproof folder.

Frequently asked questions

How many cups and plates do I need for a square market?: Start with 1.1 reusable cups and plates per expected visitor for the busiest service period. For 100 visitors, that means at least 110 cups and 110 plates, plus matching cutlery if food is served.
How much coffee should I buy for a square market?: For a four-hour market, allow roughly 1 to 2 cups of coffee per adult visitor. For 100 adults, prepare capacity for 100 to 200 cups and check that your coffee machines, kettles and thermos flasks can keep up.
When should I reserve market stalls and party tents?: Reserve them as soon as the exhibitor list is stable, preferably at least 4 weeks before the market. Confirm delivery times again during the final week so unloading does not clash with setup.
How many extension cords and cable mats are needed?: Count each separate powered stall or equipment point, then provide one extension cord per point and at least one power strip for each shared area. Use enough cable mats to cover every cable crossing a visitor route, with a few spare sections on site.

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