Monthly gathering relocates after weekday closures at previous host
The Harrogate Car Enthusiasts Club has shifted its regular monthly meeting and autojumble to a new venue in the town centre. From this evening (Monday) the event will be held at The Curious Cow, starting at 6:30pm, after the previous host pub, The Squinting Cat, began closing on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Organisers have stated the arrangement with The Curious Cow will be on a trial basis. The move brings the gathering to a different hospitality setting but organisers say the format will remain the same: a friendly meet for people with an interest in motoring and an opportunity for attendees to sell and buy motoring-related items.
“We are open to anyone motoring related! Any age classic, historic, Modern or modified. Everyone is welcome and it is free.”
The quotation above was provided by the club organiser, Barry Busby, who emphasised the open nature of the meet, welcoming a broad range of vehicles from vintage and classic cars to modern and modified examples. The autojumble element—where visitors bring motoring items to sell—will continue, although organisers have asked sellers to be mindful of space by limiting how much they bring so that cars can still be accommodated.
What the change means for attendees and traders
For regular attendees, the move is mainly logistical: a new meeting spot and potentially a different layout for vehicles and stalls. For small sellers who rely on the autojumble, the trial at The Curious Cow may test whether the venue provides sufficient space for both stalls and vehicle display. The club’s request to limit stall quantities suggests organisers are already anticipating pressure on available space.
- Who: Harrogate Car Enthusiasts Club and local motoring enthusiasts
- When: Monthly meet, tonight (Monday) from 6:30pm
- Where: The Curious Cow (trial basis)
- Previous venue: The Squinting Cat (reduced opening days)
The move follows The Squinting Cat’s decision to close on Mondays and Tuesdays. That change in opening hours made it impractical to continue hosting a club night that traditionally met on a Monday. The Curious Cow’s willingness to host the event gives the club continuity while organisers assess whether the new location will suit the needs of members and visiting sellers.
Local context and potential outcomes
Harrogate has a steady scene for vintage and classic vehicle interest groups, and monthly meets provide a social hub as much as a marketplace. Successful trials of new venues often lead to permanent arrangements, but they can also expose limitations such as constrained parking or restricted space for autojumble tables—factors the club has already sought to manage by advising sellers to limit their stock.
If The Curious Cow proves popular and practical, the club may announce a longer-term move. Conversely, if the trial shows the venue cannot comfortably accommodate both displays and traders, the club may look for alternative locations that can sustain the event’s dual purpose: a place to show cars and a functioning autojumble.
For now, the priority remains keeping the meeting accessible and free. The club’s open-door message is clear: anyone with an interest in motoring is invited, regardless of the vehicle’s age or condition. That inclusive approach will be key to maintaining attendance while the venue trial is under way.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| New venue | The Curious Cow |
| Previous venue | The Squinting Cat |
| Meeting time | 6:30pm (monthly) |
| Cost | Free |
Those interested in attending are encouraged to arrive with modest amounts of saleable items if they intend to take part in the autojumble, in order to ensure there is adequate room for cars. The club has not indicated how long the trial will run before a decision is made on a permanent site.
The move exemplifies how small changes in local business opening hours can ripple through community activities. For Harrogate’s motoring community, tonight will show whether The Curious Cow can become the new regular hub for club nights and the autojumble trade.
