About

The Portsmouth and Southsea Car Boot Sale is returning to Cascades Multi-Storey Car Park for three dates in August.

Car Boot Rules and FAQs

When and where is the Cascades Car Boot taking place?
Level 6 (top floor) Cascades Multi Storey Car Park, 36-37 Cascades Approach, Portsmouth PO1 4RL on 6, 13 and 20 August (weather permitting). If the event is called off due to bad weather, the communication is sent out as early as possible through the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PSCarBoot). There will also be staff and signage on site earlier in the day notifying of cancellations.

What time does it start?
Traders are asked to arrive between 6.30am and 7.30am. Buyers are encouraged to arrive from 7.30am onwards.

What time does it end?
Trading ends at 1pm and the site needs to be completely clear of traders, buyers and vehicles by 1.30pm.

How much do pitches cost for traders?
Pitches start at £10 for a regular car. Cars with trailers and larger vehicles are not able to trade at this event due to height restrictions (max height 1.98m). Please note this pitch fee will include a contribution to a local charity. Pitch fees are charged at full discretion of site management.

Can I bring goods from my business to sell?
The Car Boot sale is open to the general public to bring goods along to sell directly to the buyers e.g. members of the public clearing out pre-used goods. It is not a market and therefore it is not able to support businesses or traders directly selling their goods to the public as an alternative option to the Council's market trading sites. Should such traders be found on site they will be spoken to by the Event Manager and, if practical asked to leave the site, and be advised that they will not be able to return to future car boot sales.

Does the Car Boot still raise money for Charity?
After covering costs, all profit from each Car Boot - generated from pitch fees and concessions fees - is donated to local charities (details to be confirmed).

Do buyers have to pay an entrance fee?
No. The Car Boot is free entry for all general buyers.

Is parking available for buyers?
Parking is available on Floor 5 of the Car Park for buyers, costing just £1 for the duration of the event - payable at the machines in the car park. This applies to attendees arriving before 10am.

Can I arrive early?
Orgfanisers prefer everyone to arrive at the Car Boot Sale at the correct times. If you do arrive early then please be prepared to wait until staff are ready to site you.

Can I leave early?
Vehicle movement is restricted until 1pm to maintain a safe environment. Traffic marshals will escort you off site in an emergency and when a safe window becomes available. If you leave without a marshal escort, the registration will be noted and that car will not be allowed back on site all season.

Does my vehicle need to be on site while I trade?
Yes, traders are not able to unload their vehicle, remove it from site and trade from a table. All traders must trade with their vehicle on site.

Can I pre-book a pitch or choose where I park and set up?
The Car Boot operates on a turn-up-and-pay system. Organisers cannot guarantee specific pitches. There is a tight timescale to fit all sellers on-site which requires precision parking marshalling by the stewards. To guarantee every trader an exact pitch would be unachievable.

Where should I enter the site?
Traders: Please arrive at Cascades Multi Storey Car Park, 36-37 Cascades Approach, Portsmouth PO1 4RL.
For general buyers and members of the public: Please use the main pedestrian entrance to Cascades on Commercial Road next to the fountain. The event organisers encourage buyers to arrive on foot and via public transport, but there is car parking available on Level 5 as detailed.

What if I am running late, can I still get a space?
7.30am is the final cut off for traders to arrive, provided they can still be fitted in safely.

Are there toilets on site?
Toilets are available nearby, with the Cascades Shopping Centre toilets opening early. Site stewards will direct you accordingly.

Can I bring my dog?
No dogs are allowed at the Cascades site.

Can I unload my car and go home for more goods?
Unfortunately not. Due to the layout of the boot sale, once a car is parked it needs to stay where it is until the vehicle movement window opens. If you have more goods than will fit in your car the organisers would suggest bringing more than one car or doing the boot sale several times.

Can I leave unsold items on the site?
No. All traders must take any unsold items away with them. Traders are responsible for leaving their pitch clean at the end of trading. All rubbish must be taken away with the trader as the end of the event.

Strictly no counterfeit goods
It is illegal to sell counterfeit goods anywhere in the UK and PSCBS is no exception.

Can I sell food? I've made some cakes etc.
No, unfortunately not. Anyone reported to be selling food or drinks on site without approval will be asked to remove such items from sale and/or asked to leave and will not be offered a refund. This includes homemade cakes. No form of drink sale is allowed: cans; bottles large or small; freshly made; frozen; alcoholic or otherwise. Hot drinks and food will be available to purchase in Cascades and the Starbucks will open earlier than usual.

Zero tolerance for abuse to staff
If staff or security members experience verbal abuse it will not be tolerated. Vehicles will be escorted off site and will be banned from future trading and no refund will be given.

Other non-permitted items:
No waste transfer; no knives, including kitchen knives; no lighters or smoking devices including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, pipes, rolling papers, cigars, chewing tobacco and any other smoking related items; no alcohol, wine or spirits; no firearms, air rifles, BB guns or other dangerous weapons; no prescription/pharmacy medicines; no fireworks, explosives or other flammable items; and nothing deemed illegal under current UK law.

Organisers want PSCBS to safe, family-friendly environment. Anyone found trading in these items at PSCBS will be removed from the site without refund and if applicable, the relevant authorities informed. Site management reserve the right to remove any item they deem inappropriate for sale.

To keep up to date with car boot news please like and follow the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PSCarBoot

Happy Car Booting!