Johnstones Tool Shop

21/05/2026

We do love a bit of team work in Rochester! Look at the lovely display done at The Cheese Room Deli & Cafe, complemented by some lovely Johnstones laser engraving!

Get any laser engraving, bespoke, done here with us at Johnstones! No task too great, that we can’t take on! 🪵

We’ve had a change about in the retail end of the shop. We love our new signs - thanks to Brad from Johnstones Tool Shop, who suggested the idea and completed the job by the time the afternoon was out!
Our Window display has also had a spruce up!

07/05/2026

Did you attend Rochester Sweeps Festival 2026?

We'd love to hear your feedback🗣️ - if you complete the survey below, you'll be entered into a prize draw for two tickets to this year's Panto at The Central Theatre🎭

Take the survey👉 https://orlo.uk/kYlY7

06/04/2026

WE ARE STILL HERE!! 👋

The rumour mill has been busy—but don’t worry, we’re not going anywhere. We’re still here, still serving our community, and with your support, we’ll continue to do so for years to come.

Fiona and Brad—Aunt and Nephew—have proudly carried on the Johnstones legacy for the past 3 years. With Fiona’s wealth of experience and Brad quickly catching up, the next generation isn’t just maintaining the business—we’re actively tuning, improving, and shaping the store for the future.

Together with our dedicated team, we’re working hard every day to serve all our customers and keep raising the standard.
So come in and shop with us—we’ll always go that extra mile 🔧

07/01/2026

Dear all,

The funeral of our MrJ (Archie) will take place on Thursday 15th January.

Archie will arrive outside the shop at approximately 9:45am, ready to depart for his final journey at 10am. He will make his way along the high street to star hill, and take a trip to some of his life’s locations, whilst on his way to St Matthew’s Church, in borstal. This is where his service will be held at 10:30am.

All who wish to attend his service are very welcome to do so. The family are asking for no black, so please wear something nice and full of colour. Please be aware parking can be difficult around the church so please allow time for this.

After the service, the family will then attend a private burial, before making their way to the crypt of Rochester Cathedral for approximately 12pm for his wake. Please feel free to make your way there after the service, to remember Archie with his loved ones!

The family have asked for donations to two causes close to Archie’s heart instead of flowers. To donate to either the Air Ambulance or MacMillan cancer support, please follow the link below to his just giving page.

We look forward to welcoming many of you on Thursday, to remember and celebrate our incredible Archie!

Kane Peachey Cameron Peachey Bradley James

View Archibald Mackinnon Johnstone's obituary to find out the funeral details, post messages of condolence, and light a candle in their memory.

24/12/2025

It is with great sadness that we share the news that our beloved Mr Johnstone (Archie), passed away peacefully on the evening of 23rd December, aged 91.
He will be remembered not only for running a successful family business — first Alan G Smith, and later Johnstones — but for his enormous contribution to the Rochester community. From helping organise the local traders to bring Rochester its first Christmas lights, to playing a key role in setting up the first Dickens Festival, his impact can still be seen today.
Beyond the business, he dedicated a huge part of his life to others through his work with the Rotary Club, its many outreach programmes, and his many years of service as a magistrate.
He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed, but his legacy lives on across Rochester in so many ways.
As a family, we feel truly privileged to have had a wonderful man as a Father to Fiona & the much missed sally and Grandfather to Bradley James, Cameron Peachey and Kane Peachey, and try to live up to his fantastic example. But for now we say Cherryo, with much love.
The man. The myth. The legend.
RIP ❤️

05/12/2025

Come and make your own baubles with Johnstones this Christmas! 🎄 🎄🎄

Create and draw your own image, either at home or in store, and watch as we transform it, on to a lovely wooden bauble!

We can also take your pictures and make them too!

This can be done for many things such as:

🎄 Babies first Christmas, with name and date on the back.

🎄beloved pets and names.

🎄or even cherished memories of loved ones past or present!

So come and get yours made this festive holiday, with Johnstones!

your own

17/11/2025

Well done to all those who contributed to this fantastic project! It was one big community effort! On a personal note we would like to thank our one and only Brad! Who we know has put in so much time to this lovely project! Well done Rochester High street! 🎉🎄🥂

14/11/2025

We are going to be at this lovely school community event with our laser cut items! Would be great to see so many people support!

08/11/2025

We are at it again! Come and get your unique Rochester bauble this year!

Introducing this year's Rochester Community Bauble!🎄✨

Made right here in Rochester, by Brad Johnstones Tool Shop, this bauble is more than just a decoration ❤️

Every purchase helps to support our high street - from supporting the Christmas lights project, to maintaining our high street and future events for our community 💫

Find yours at our stall by The French Hospital during Rochester City Artisan Market weekends - 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd November 🎁

Let's make this Christmas shine bright for Rochester, together! ✨

05/11/2025

We shall see you there!!

✨ Christmas is coming to Rochester! ✨

We’re getting ready to celebrate in true Rochester style — with festive markets, community spirit, and our brand new Christmas lights that will sparkle across the high street from Eastgate to Northgate! 🎄💫

🛍️ Rochester City Artisan Market
📅 15, 16, 22 & 23 November
🕙 10am – 3.30pm
Discover handmade gifts, local produce, and festive treats from our amazing local makers.
On 16 November we will also be joined by Rochester Farmers Market

💡 Christmas Lights – Saturday 15 November, 4.45pm
Join us as we switch on the second phase of our brand new lights for the first time, where we celebrate the hard work and community effort that's bought them to life. Our lights are independently owned and made possible through local support - a true Rochester success story! We’re incredibly proud of what’s been achieved so far — and we’re now looking for a hero sponsor to help us complete the final phase of new lights

🎶🚜 Enjoy the Salvation Army Band performing at The French Hospital between 3pm and 5pm for a bit of festive fun.

We will also be selling our special Rochester Baubles, made for Rochester by Johnstones Tool Shop, by the French Hospital - all proceeds support our local community.

Our local high street shops, cafés, restaurants and bars are also ready to welcome you — so come and shop local, celebrate together, and make magical Christmas memories right here in Rochester ❤️

Photo Credit: Steve Hartridge Photography