Balham car boot sale rebranded as a fashion-forward weekend draw

On a crisp Sunday morning in south‑west London, the playground of a primary school has been transformed into Balham car boot sale, a rebranded take on the traditional car boot that now draws families, pensioners, fashion influencers and TikTokers. First‑time sellers at Balham said the market feels “cooler than saying I bought this on Asos”, and organisers Steven Lopes and Erin Murphy — who founded Balham and a sister car boot in Peckham in 2019 — say they aimed to represent the city’s style while keeping a family‑friendly, nostalgic atmosphere.

The market’s later, more relaxed start, they say, encourages a “chill Sunday” vibe rather than the traditional crack‑of‑dawn rush. Murphy estimates attendance has risen from about 20 people in the early months to roughly 1,000–2,000 every other weekend. Organisers of a similar Manchester sale, Rummage in the Range, report queues of around 300 people at 10am.

The wider rise in secondhand shopping is reflected in data cited by the outlet: the market for secondhand goods has grown to £4.3bn this year, and the average person in the UK now spends £124.80 a month on secondhand items, up from £58.40 five years ago. Those involved see pros and cons: influencers and resellers have increased footfall and awareness, but sellers say it has become more competitive.

Key Topics

Culture, Balham Car Boot, Steven Lopes, Erin Murphy, Peckham, Depop