Car boot in Northants planned for this week moved back after police urge organisers not to go ahead

A car boot sale that was due to resume for buyers and sellers this week has been pushed back after police 'strongly advised' the organiser not to go ahead with it.

Holcot Car Boot Sale, held on Holcot Showground, Sywell Road was due to hold its first sale of the season on March 26, but the opening was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Organisers announced earlier this week that the event would resume this Thursday (May 28), despite clear Government advice that open markets are not permitted until Monday (June 1).

Now the organisers have posted to the car boot's Facebook page to say the event will not be held until next Thursday (June 4).

Prior to this updated announcement, a spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: “This is against the guidance and we will be looking into it.

“We would strongly advise them not to go ahead with this date in the meantime.”

Although the organiser of the car boot does not need a licence from the council to host the sale, Daventry District Council also confirmed it was looking into the planned event before the announcement that it has been moved too June 4.

A spokesman for the council said: “We thank the public for bringing this matter to our attention and will be investigating to ensure the organisers comply with the Government guidance.”

On the car boot’s Facebook page organisers have also posted several statements about social distancing measures they have put in place on the site, that will be used when the event reopens on the later date.

One message said: “The whole of the Holcot Car Boot site has been redesigned to enable us to have a one way system.

“There will be one way into the buying area and one way out with signage.

“All of the selling isles have been extended to 15 metres in width, to allow plenty of room for the public to flow one way.

“All stalls will be spaced approximately 10 metres apart from each other.

“We are also in the process of doubling the whole site area so that we can accommodate our normal amount of visitors to the site, giving them double the amount of room.”

In a previous Facebook post, the organisers also mentioned public facilities including toilets and seating areas would be available as they were working on 'spacing them out'.

Holcot Car Boot has been contacted for comment, but has not responded.

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