Disused car parks to become site of new Bishop’s Stortford car boot sale

Bishop’s Stortford town centre is to host a weekly Sunday car boot sale from September 3.

Capital Car Boot Sales has added the vacant former Causeway and Charringtons House car parks to its locations at Great Amwell, Cuffley, Colchester and both Sandon and Chelmer Valley near Chelmsford.

The deal is part of efforts by the town and district councils and Bishop’s Stortford BID (Business Improvement District) to fund interim uses for the land, which has been earmarked by East Herts Council (EHC) for development as part of the Old River Lane scheme. It was brokered by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council.

Both car parks closed to the public in mid-June last year when the multi-storey at Northgate End was opened.

It is a condition of planning approval for the new car park that neither the Causeway nor Charringtons House spaces can be used for parking.

Last week, Hertford Cycle Hub used the Charringtons House bays as a base to teach dozens of children how to cycle in a series of free sessions.

A new arts centre has been proposed on the site, but the scheme has been paused while EHC – now under Green Party and Liberal Democrat control after the Conservatives were beaten in May’s local elections – re-evaluates the project and consults the public.

It is pressing ahead with a deal which will see the Causeway transformed with shops, restaurants and up to 225 new homes, but two planning applications submitted by its development partner, Cityheart, are yet to be determined.

The new car boot sale will be open to sellers only from 8am. No booking is required. Pitches cost £15 for a car, £20 for a 4x4 and £25 for a large van.

Buyers are admitted free from 9am. Those driving to the event must park elsewhere.

Capital Car Boot Sales is also promising “first-class” hot food catering, “large comfortable seating areas”, designated parking for the disabled, toilet facilities and a welcome for dogs at “the only hard-standing car boot sale for miles around”.

The car boot sale at the station car park off Anchor Street closed years ago.