Hundreds came to the first post-lockdown car boot sale in Grimsby this morning.
The site next to Morrisons in Laceby was full of buyers and sellers, all eager to get back to their first trunk since the third lockdown was announced on Jan. 4th.
In accordance with the government’s roadmap for the lockdown, outdoor events were allowed to take place from April 12th.
However, as Sunday is often the main trading day for this event, many organizers have waited until the weekend for them to return.
The plot has been updated with additional safeguards to fight the coronavirus, with organizers adding more space between vendors and more hand sanitizing units across the site.
For many, the return of car boots was a welcomed proposition that allowed them to sell or simply get rid of possessions that were in their homes during the lockdown.
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James Dierking and Charlotte Fogg
Partners James Dierking and Charlotte Fogg said, “We ended up bringing three cars. We were hoping the car boots had been coming for weeks to be honest.
“We’re moving so that makes life a little easier. We were pretty dependent on it so we’re glad it wasn’t canceled.
“Luckily we were knocked off our feet from the moment we got here so we sold quite a lot. Our neighbors even gave us some items when they knew we were making a car boot.
(Image: Luke Green)
“Everything we brought was piling up in the corners of the house. Even though we had to get up at 5am, it was great to finally get rid of a few things.”
For other sellers, it has enabled them to return to some form of fundraising for their charity.
Ann Walker, a volunteer fundraiser for Marie Curie, said, “It was very busy all morning which was great considering how frosty it was when I got here.
“I feel safe here too, we’re all out there so there isn’t that much of a risk with coronavirus. I just hope we can make some money today for our local Marie Curie nurses. We’ll do everything we can . ” To collect money. “
(Image: Luke Green)
However, it was also a welcome return for those looking for a bargain.
Abbi Carter stated, “It’s really good to be back and it’s a lot busier than I thought it would be.
“I’m not sure if the mask will be worn. I wasn’t sure if we should wear one or not, but everyone seems happy to get back to normal.”
It was a brilliant first day for the trunk for organizer Robert ‘Kip’ Fuller.
He said: “The turnout was absolutely fantastic. Little did I know it would be so crowded this morning when the weather was as bad as it was.
“It just shows how much people support us and how much they missed it.”
(Image: Luke Green)
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
To combat the increased number of buyers and sellers, Kip and the team made some changes to the website to keep people safe.
“We added additional parking spaces and redistributed the land to improve safety as much as possible. We also implemented additional hand disinfection stations in the toilets and throughout the construction site.
“Also, we let the sellers in at 5am and give them an hour to set them up before we let the buyers in at 6am. That way, people don’t all get overcrowded looking into the back of a car.
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(Image: Luke Green)
“Last year we used a one-way system, but it was more of a hassle than anything. It wasn’t quite right and some people even turned the arrows around so we left that this time.
“We have of course also encouraged the wearing of masks where we can, but we cannot enforce it. Social distancing and Covid measures were a major consideration for us in the run-up to the reopening.”
For Kip, the trunk is more than just a job.
He said, “I really missed this place, it’s like a small community here. We all know each other by name and it’s great to see that the regulars didn’t lose their trust in us while we were away.”
In the future, it seems to be more of the same for the organizing team.
“As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. We were incredibly popular today, my phone kept ringing. So why should we change it?” said Kip.