The store’s community champion, Andrew Drayton, who organises the monthly community event, said: “We thought that we’d trial a couple of Car Boot Sales without booking to see what the reaction was.
“The trial in March turned out to be a bit of a wash out with the cold and damp putting people, quite understandably, off for the morning.”
Andrew continued: “We had the opposite problem for the second trial in April. It was a lovely day and we had about 15 more cars than we can manage turn up.”
That April Car Boot Sale raised more than £200 for the store’s community work, which was the first time that figure had been breached.
However Andrew said this was achieved with more cars than there were spaces for which meant some improvisation was needed to find the space to fit in everyone that had turned up.
Andrew explained: “In the end we managed to find a space for everyone, and I apologise to sellers and any customers for the confusion. Essentially this is the reason that we will have to go back to booking in advance as we only have limited space for the Car Boot Sales and the April sale was over full.”
The April sale though did highlight the fact that the Car Boot Sales can be a very good opportunity for sellers.
Andrew stated: “We will always attract buyers to the sale, especially when the store is open as well and our last sale proved that there are enough sellers in the area for the sales to be full up.”
The May Car Boot Sale will take place on Sunday, May 14 and car space bookings should be made now by calling 07718 533015.
Remaining car boot sale dates and booking dates for 2017, are:
Sunday, June 18 - Book from Thursday, June 8
Sunday, July 16 - Book from Thursday, July 6
Sunday, September 17 - Book from Thursday, September 7
Sunday, October 8 - Book from Thursday, September 28.
All sales start at 11am and sellers that have booked are asked to arrive from 10.15am. All proceeds from the Car Boot Sales are used in the store’s community work.
Alan Quick