Our Small Biz Sample Sale returns for one weekend this August!

That’s right!! Our much-loved Small Business Sample Sale returns! With discounts off 20-80% off your favourite small brands!

At this event you'll find amazing discounts, bargains, and one-of-a-kind samples available from a real variety of incredible small businesses and makers at a cool central London location: The Ministry in Borough. This is a free event and everyone is welcome! Enjoy two full days of discount shopping there with us on Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August.

On each day you’ll find a different line-up of 35 small businesses, and each brand will be selling a variety of gorgeous handmade, vintage, reworked and new items all with a discount. Spanning art, jewellery, ceramics, fashion, bags, scrunchies, homeware, prints, fashion, accessories, bag charms and lots more. Shop almost-perfect seconds, samples of products that didn’t end up going into production and so are completely unique, past season stock, and also some new season stock. Every single item will be discounted at least 20%, with discounts up to 80% off!

We’re so proud to be working at The Ministry for the third time as it’s an absolutely amazing central London location. Just a few minutes walk from Borough tube station on the Northern Line, Elephant & Castle tube station on the Bakerloo and Northern lines as well as Elephant & Castle train station. It’s also just a 10 minute walk from London Bridge station and other iconic locations including Borough Market, so you’re in the perfect spot to enjoy a whole amazing day out.

As well as as our indoor sample sale, you’ll find a cafe onsite and an outdoor terrace.

Please note we’re expecting this event to be busy and it is likely you will have to queue to get in. This is to make sure we adhere to the venue’s maximum capacity numbers, and to keep everyone safe and happy as they shop. Queuing does not guarantee entry as we have to close at a specific time. We recommend coming early if you’re looking for something specific.

Sample Sale info:

🌀 Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th August

🌀 The Ministry, 79-81 Borough Rd, London SE1 1DN

🌀 11am - 4pm

🌀 35 different brands each day

🌀 20% - 80% off RRPs

🌀 Free entry, and all welcome

🌀 You don’t need to be a member of The Ministry to come to this event

Which brands will be taking part?

You’ll be able to find a list of traders on our blog in the coming weeks! There will be separate posts for each date.

What discounts will products have?

Discounts are at each brand’s discretion. We’ve asked that every product is discounted at least 20%, but this is out of Salad Days control so please do check with specific traders nearer the time if you want accurate information. Discounts will be from at least 20% - 80% off the RRP price. Every single item will be discounted.

How to apply to take part as a trader:

We will be taking applications for this event in the coming weeks. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when we do.

How to attend as a customer:

The Sample Sale is free to enter, and you don’t need a ticket! Just show up on the day. You don’t need to be a member of The Ministry to come to this market. We expect this event to be busy and popular and it’s very likely you’ll have to queue, so you might like to come early if you’re looking for something specific. The address of The Ministry is 79-81 Borough Road, London SE1 1DN. The venue has a shiny disco ball hanging outside! The closest tube stations are Borough and Elephant and Castle. The closest train stations are Elephant and Castle and London Bridge.

Is the market inside?

Yes, the market is inside. The Ministry is also inside where there is some seating, a cafe, and bathrooms. If we have to implement a queue you will need to queue outside the venue so you may like to bring an umbrella incase of bad weather.

Will the event be busy?

Yes we are expecting the market to be busy and bustling and it’s likely we will need to implement a queue to enter. This queue will be outside the building so you may like to bring an umbrella incase of bad weather. If you prefer a quieter browse this may not be the market for you. If you are a wheelchair user and need help or more info about accessing the event please do get in touch so we can answer any accessibility questions. There are steps to enter the building but there is a wheelchair lift. If you are in a wheelchair or on crutches, or have an Access Card or Disability card you can come straight to the front of the queue, please just have your relevant card ready to show.

Is the venue dog friendly? Is it buggy friendly? Is it wheelchair friendly?

We expect this market to be popular and busy so we recommend leaving dogs, children, buggies and extra bags at home. If you are a wheelchair user and would like more info about accessing the event please do get in touch so we can give you more specific information as there are some steps to enter the building but there is a wheelchair lift! If you are in a wheelchair or on crutches, or have an Access Card or Disability card you can come straight to the front of the queue, please just have your relevant card ready to show. This venue does not have changing facilities, will be very busy and serving alcohol so is probably not a suitable one to bring kids to especially young children in buggies.

Is there food and drink at the market?

The Ministry has an inside cafe which serves a range of hot and cold drinks and bakery items. If you have a specific allergy please speak to the food or drink provider before you consume anything.

FAQs:

All discounts are controlled by each individual trader, so we can never guarantee what they will be. We will do our best to share accurate information, and have asked traders to make sure every product is discounted in some way. We usually expect this to be anywhere from 20% off - 80% off the original RRP but you may like to check with traders for specific info.

We expect these events to be busy and bustling so if you prefer a quieter shop, this may not be the market for you. It’s likely you’ll have to queue to enter and queueing does not guarantee entry.

There is some indoor seating at the venue, and you’ll be able to get hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, salads and pastries from The Ministry.

There will be different brands on every day, so you can come along to each one and find totally different things.

The nature of the products on sale, including food and beauty products, means they may have allergens in and could cause an allergic reaction. if you have a specific allergy please speak to the stallholder before you try or buy any product.

All the brands in the photos you see below will be trading at the Sample Sale but these specific items might not be there.