16-05-2025
'I took £20 to a huge car boot sale and it was clear everyone was buying the same item'
'I took £20 to a huge car boot sale and it was clear everyone was buying the same item'
Hundreds of bargain hunters flocked to the car boot sale in search of a good deal, but there was one item that seemed to be on everyone's shopping list
I took £20 to a car boot sale
(Image: Manchester Family / MEN )
It was 'already heaving' when Emma Gill arrived just after 11am, with rows of sellers and hundreds of bargain hunters in attendance.
"There was everything from clothing - 'all ladies clothes 50p' shouted one seller - to trainers, toys, tools, toilet rolls (£6 for a pack of 36 in case you're wondering), plants, computer games and everything in between. Someone was even selling wheelchairs, for a bargain £30 each."
She observed one young lad who seemed thrilled with a tub of mini cars his mum had bagged, insisting on carrying the entire box while being pushed in his trolley. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
Another shopper was spotted eagerly sifting through a box of plates, likely in search of a hidden gem that could fetch a tidy sum.
Bolton Car Boot Sale at Bolton Wanderers football stadium
(Image: Bolton Car Boot Sale )
Emma Gill, parents editor with the Manchester Evening News, was visiting bustling Bolton Car Boot Sale, which takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays, and is typical of many similar events held up and down the country.
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She highlighted 'the meat man' as the star attraction, who pitches up with his sizeable Nationwide Meats truck, evidently enjoying brisk business.
People queue for 'the meat man'
(Image: Manchester Family / MEN )
"He's quite vocal on the microphone, which is good as you get to hear what deals he's got," she said. "A guy in front of me bought '£80 worth of tomahawk steaks' for £30 and got a roll of beef thrown in for good measure. Another got minty lamb, ribs and chicken for £20.
"I ended up with a 'plenty for £20' deal too. After initially asking for just some steaks, before I knew it, I was handing over 20 quid for a bag containing 770g of peppered steaks, 2.7kg of jumbo sausages and 3kg of chicken drumsticks - with no idea where I was going to store it all."
The car boot sale was packed
(Image: Manchester Family / MEN )
As Emma lugged her hefty bag of meat back to her car, she overheard one woman on the phone informing someone, "the meat man is here".
Emma added: "Who knew a midweek car boot sale would be so popular? But in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, who wouldn't want the chance to save a few quid - and pick up some bargain bangers while they're at it!"
My £20 haul from 'the meat man' consisted of 770g of peppered steaks, 2.7kg of jumbo sausages and 3kg of chicken drumsticks
(Image: Manchester Family / MEN )
The car boot sale takes place in the stadium car park in Burden Way, conveniently situated next to Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park. Since its launch in 2016, the Sunday event has expanded to attract up to 400 sellers each week.
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The recently introduced Wednesday car boot sale, which kicked off just four weeks ago, is already pulling in up to 200 sellers.
