Bridge Centre Swaps Indoor Car Boot Sales For Charity Shop Saturdays

Photo:  The Bridge Centre

The Bridge Centre in Smithy Bridge has announced it will no longer hold its monthly indoor car boot sales, citing a decline in both stallholders and visitors in recent months.

Organisers said they had worked hard to keep the events running but had noticed a “massive decrease” in the amount of money raised for the chosen charities each month. “Sadly, we have taken the decision to stop the charity indoor car boot sales which we have tried to keep going each month,” the Centre posted on Facebook. “The last few months have shown that we are not getting the support of people wanting to host a table to sell their items and members of the public have not been turning up.”

However, the Bridge Centre is determined to continue supporting local causes, with a new initiative starting this month. On the third Saturday of August, September, and October 2025, the Centre’s charity shop will open specially from 9am to 12pm, with all proceeds from the day donated to the charity of the month.

The first of these special Saturday openings will take place on Saturday 16th August, with funds going to Rochdale Foodbank. In addition to sales, the Centre will also collect food donations for the foodbank on the day.

Organisers are encouraging residents to take advantage of the weekend opening, especially those who cannot visit during the week. “Put the date in your diary,” the Centre urged.

The September and October charity beneficiaries are yet to be announced.