BLC Chair Discusses 2026 Car Boot Sale for Good Cause

The British Ladies Club of Luxembourg (BLC) will host its annual Car Boot Sale on Sunday 19 April 2026, in the covered car park (Parkhaus) of the Belle Etoile shopping centre in Bertrange, in front of the G.A.N.G. area.

Chronicle.lu spoke with BLC Chair Amy Grech to learn more about the upcoming event, which also raises money for local charities.

Chronicle.lu: The Car Boot Sale is one of the longest-running in the international community in Luxembourg. It has been held on the Glacis car park, then more recently in Kirchberg, and now you have announced that this year's event is to be held at the Belle Etoile shopping centre: please tell us why you have moved, and how you decided on the Belle Etoile.

Amy Grech: In previous years, we were very kindly hosted by the Fondation Kirchberg at the Adenauer parking. Unfortunately, due to ongoing tram works, the site is not available this year and is expected to remain unavailable for the next few years.

I therefore reached out to a number of establishments to try and secure an alternative venue, and the Belle Etoile was the first to come forward and offer their support. They are familiar with the club, its mission and its values, and our longstanding presence in Luxembourg.

We met on site together with two of our long-standing Car Boot Sale organisers, Susan Sarandon and Enid Isaac, to walk through the setup and logistics. I would particularly like to thank Mr Manu Konsbruck, Director of the Belle Etoile, as well as the technical services team of the Belle Etoile, for their support and collaboration.

The covered Parkhaus is a real advantage, as it removes dependency on the weather and makes the overall setup much simpler, while also being a well known and easily accessible location.

This year, we chose to hold the event on a Sunday, as it is generally a quieter day from a shopping perspective and works well for a location within a commercial centre. The reason we scheduled it in April this year, shortly after Easter, is because May is a particularly busy month this year, with a large number of public events also scheduled and a number of public holidays.

Chronicle.lu: Around how many stalls do you expect to have this year? Are they all by members or private individuals?

Amy Grech: We currently have around 70 stalls booked and expect to reach approximately 75. Overall, it is a good mix, with regular long-standing participants who join us every year for the community spirit, as well as a number of new stallholders. This includes both members and non-members, and the event has always been open, which is part of what makes it so popular.

Chronicle.lu: This is the first time that it will be held indoors or under a roof: how will this be different from previous editions?

Amy Grech: It is under a roof, but it is still an open space with fresh air coming through, so it keeps that outdoor feel. The key difference, which is a clear improvement, is that we are no longer dependent on the weather, and this makes things much easier for everyone. Stallholders can set up more comfortably, and visitors can browse without worrying about the conditions.

From a logistical point of view, it also makes a real difference. The stalls will be set up on the ground floor, which has a separate access, while visitors coming by car have a separate access to the upper levels of the Parkhaus. This means that on the day we will only need to register stallholders as they arrive, without having to manage different flows of vehicles.

In previous years, we often had visitors arriving well before opening time, sometimes up to an hour in advance, eager to be the first to look for treasures. There is a real sense of anticipation and even a competitive spirit among regular visitors who know the event well.

Chronicle.lu: Will you be organising a formal opening of the event?

Amy Grech: Yes, of course, we will formally open the event on the day at 09:00. [...] Unfortunately, the British Ambassador will not be able to join us this time, but she has sent her best wishes for a successful event and will be joining our other upcoming events, in particular the Startup Event in June.

Chronicle.lu: How many people or volunteers are involved in the organisation of this event?

Amy Grech: It really does take a village. The full committee is involved, with our Secretary Kathy Liebl, Vice Chair Janet Macey and myself very much hands-on, supported by our PR and Marketing Manager Emilie Fitzgerald, our webmaster Octavia Becco, and Sue Hartley, who has been managing registrations for the Car Boot Sale for many years.

We are also supported by our kids' coordinators Keri Parker and Jessica Rose, our local area representatives, and by Oasis Church, in particular Chris Kettle, who supports the organisation of the food stall. More broadly, we rely on members, friends and supporters of the club who help with the setup, the running of the day, and everything that comes with it.

Chronicle.lu: For anyone who has not attended a previous edition of this event, what can they expect?

Amy Grech: They can expect a relaxed, family-friendly day with a strong sense of community spirit. It works just as well for families as it does for individuals. Whether you come with friends, with children or on your own, it is a welcoming space and a nice way to meet people and spend a Sunday.

The event runs from 09:00 to 16:00, so people can come at any time during the day. You can drop by after breakfast, come along for lunch, or spend some time in the afternoon and turn a quiet Sunday into something a little more lively.

It is also very much about circular economy and sustainability. As the saying goes, "one man's rubbish is another man's treasure", although in our case many of the items are in excellent condition. There is also a certain charm in finding something that has a past, something that can bring back memories or simply add a touch of character.

The location is easy to reach, whether by public transport or by car if you are planning to take a few finds home.

Chronicle.lu: Have you organised any entertainment? And will there be food and drink available for purchase?

Amy Grech: There will be a food stall run by Oasis Church, as mentioned above, offering a selection of freshly prepared food including bacon sandwiches, freshly prepared and grilled sandwiches, panini, chilli con carne, delicious Indian dishes, as well as cakes, tea and coffee, and soft drinks.

There will also be a dedicated kids' area, as the event is intended not only for families but also as a wider community gathering where everyone can feel welcome.

As is tradition, there will also be an exhibition adjacent to the Car Boot Sale of classic MG cars, presented by the Luxembourg MG Car Club, which always adds a special touch to the day.

The browsing itself is very much part of the experience, with people enjoying the atmosphere and the opportunity to discover something unexpected.

As every year, we will also be running our very own BLC stand, where we will be selling donated items such as puzzles, games, household items, lamps, bulbs, books, decorations, gardening items, planters and chairs, many of them in excellent condition.

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us about the proceeds of the event: approximately how much is raised each year, and where does the money go?

Amy Grech: The proceeds come mainly from stallholder fees and from the BLC stand. Stallholder fees are €27 for members and €35 for non-members, and after covering the rental of mobile sanitary facilities, all net proceeds go to our two selected charities, KJT Kanner and Femmes en Détresse. The final amount raised depends on participation and sales, so we will confirm this after the event.

Beyond the charity aspect, what matters most is the community spirit. This event is a microcosm of Luxembourg, bringing together people from many different nationalities, backgrounds and life circumstances, and reflecting how communities from these diverse places come together as one for the benefit of the wider community.

It is a volunteer-led effort and, while it does require work, it is also very rewarding. We are very grateful to everyone involved, including those who donate items to our stand, our stallholders, our volunteers, and partners such as the Belle Etoile, as well as publications like yours that help us spread the word.