Edinburgh car boot sales: how to book a stall at the Corn Exchange and Ocean Terminal sales, what time they’re on - and social distancing rules

Safety guidelines at the car boot sales include mandatory face coverings and the use of hand sanitiser

As the coronavirus pandemic took hold across the country, car boot sales were temporarily stopped (Photo: Shutterstock)

Several car boot sales take place across Edinburgh, offering buyers and sellers the chance to exchange hidden gems and bargains.

As the coronavirus pandemic took hold across the country, car boot sales were temporarily stopped - but now, they’re back.

This is everything you need to know about the Edinburgh car boot sales - from whether you need to book a stall to the safety guidelines in place.

Which car boot sales are back?

There are two car boot sales in Edinburgh - at the Corn Exchange and at Ocean Terminal.

The Corn Exchange car boot sale is on Saturdays and Sundays.

The next one takes place on Saturday 29 August and Sunday 30 August at 10 New Market Rd, Edinburgh West, EH14 1RJ.

The sale opens to sellers from 7am and buyers from 7:30am until 12pm.

Ocean Terminal’s car boot sale takes place on Sundays, with the next on Sunday 30 August at Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ.

It takes place in the car park on the M&S side of Ocean Terminal, on Level E and Level F.

The sale will open to sellers from 6am and to the public from 7:30am until 12:30pm.

How do I book a stall?

For those looking to sell items at either of the car boot sales, you do not have to book a space in advance.

Sellers get a spot on a first-come-first-serve basis, so get there early to avoid disappointment.

At the Corn Exchange, sellers will need to pay a pitch fee for their vehicles, at £14 per car and £22 per van.

The Corn Exchange has stated that it will be restricting the amount of vans permitted at the sale and is requesting sellers who usually use a van to bring a car instead.

Those with vans should be aware that there is a possibility that they will not be permitted entry if the allotted spaces for vans has already been filled.

At Ocean Terminal, it will cost sellers £14 per car (£25 for a double pitch) and £25 per van.

Due to the nature of the car park, there is a height restriction of 2m for vans which sellers should be aware of beforehand.

What social distancing measures are in place?

The Corn Exchange car boot sale has released information regarding what safety measures are in place for sellers and buyers.

First, everyone is required to wear face masks and to bring hand sanitiser, and it is recommended that you wear gloves whilst handling money.

Hand sanitiser will be supplied at the front entrance to the boot sale, with staff actively encouraging members of the public to use it upon entry and exit.

Customers will be limited inside the sale, so you may have to be prepared to wait before you are permitted entry.

Sellers are also being given extra space for their cars and ground markings will be implemented to ensure social distancing is adhered to.

Since the Corn Exchange sale is spacing out sellers, there will be fewer spaces available, but they “will not make allowances for more sellers if it affects [the] 2m safe distancing”.

The Corn Exchange also states that “anyone who chooses not to follow [the] strict rules will be asked to leave immediately and may lose the right to attend the car boot sale indefinitely”.

Similar measures are being taken at Ocean Terminal, with buyers and sellers being required to wear a face covering, unless exempt as per government guidelines.

If you’re attending the sale at Ocean Terminal and need to use any of the facilities inside the shopping centre, you’ll be required to wear a mask.