Reviews of York Racecourse Car Boot

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The Antique Dealer No. 88 May 2002

Fairs Reviews York Racecourse Car Boot Fair

(with Janet Dewhirst of Rummage)

The atmosphere and huge crowds were reminiscent of a pre-Swinderby Newark. I saw buyers carrying away old suitcases, decorative pots, piano stools and all manner of bric-a-brac. The queue moved in a very orderly fashion before vehicles were parked up efficiently and courteously by the stewards. All sellers had plenty of space. No, this was not the latest massive antiques, drive in, but York Car Boot Sale. This is a well established Saturday event, set against the spectacular backdrop of the huge stands and the Terry’s chocolate factory. Buyers come to this fair from far and wide, as do the sellers, many of whom used to occupy the empty spaces now evident at so many large outdoor antique fairs. It is also free entry to all visitors, so it is a great day out for the serious buyers and browsers alike.

York Racecourse is just outside the city of York, and has good motorway links by the M1 and A1. From any direction, just join the ring road to avoid the city centre, then it is well signposted and easy to find. This is a venue I will certainly return to. I bought well and sold a lot more than anticipated. Buyers offered reasonable prices for goods that could command them. Unlike the majority of car boot fairs, this event is more like an antiques flea market. The majority of stalls sold antiques and collectable's. Others, more typical car boot stalls added to the interest, selling useful things like plants, garden furnishings, and household goods.

I did not count the number of stalls, but there were hundreds. There is almost unlimited space with an overflow area to cope with extra stalls. There is also a massive public free car park right next to the main selling site with easy access and stewards to control the traffic.

York Car Boot Fair encourages a huge number of buyers, because of easy access, abundant free parking, very efficient stewarding, and of course free entry. Increasingly full-time antiques and bric-a-brac dealers are realising the potential that the right type of car boot fair can offer as a means of making a living at a very low cost.