Summer return for Bowlee Car Boot Sale

Everyone loves a car boot sale, whether it’s to pick up some bargains, chuck out some of your old stuff, or simply because they’re so distinctly British - the new season at Bowlee Community Park in Middleton begins on Sunday 4 July.

Bowlee Car Boot Sale & Market – one of the biggest in Greater Manchester - will return for its 2021 season in July.

Last year’s sales were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the event, which attracts more than 40,000 buyers and over 3,600 sellers each season will be back this summer, say organisers Rochdale Borough Council.

The 2021 season at Bowlee Community Park in Middleton is due to begin on Sunday 4 July and continue every Sunday until the end of September (excluding 5 September). On August Bank Holiday weekend the event will be held on Sunday and Monday. Sellers do not need to book, just turn up from 6am.

The site is open to buyers from 7am to 1.30pm and there are 1,200 car parking spaces in Bowlee Park for £2.50 per vehicle.

There will be increased on-site signage and a new drop off/pick up point for buyers near the entrance to speed up access. There will be no last minute cancellations – if poor weather is forecast a decision will be announced by 6pm the day before the sale.

The event takes a break on Sunday 5 September to make way for Tour de Manc – the annual Greater Manchester cycle sportive that sets off from Bowlee Park with the choice of a 100 mile or 100-kilometre ride.

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for environment said: “I am pleased to say this very popular event will be returning to Bowlee Community Park for its twelfth year, however, customer safety is always our priority which is why, in light of coronavirus restrictions, we have taken a more cautious decision to delay the start of the season.

“This gives us a good chance of being able to deliver the very best experience for buyers and sellers this summer.

“As many of you will know, this is a very big and busy event on a large open site, where limiting numbers and controlling access is difficult, so we didn’t want to rush into a return with measures it could be hard to implement.”