Bowlers Computer Fair

In the early 2000s, I would go to a computer fair at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester. It was held on Saturdays.

Before the organizers started cracking down, it was a fantastic source of less-than-legitimate software. You could also buy compilations of freeware and demos on floppy disk and CD.

Back when they were popular, people were selling desktop themes on floppy disk. I paid £1 for an X-Files theme once. It was great.

Bowlers was the first place I saw the Johnny Castaway screensaver being used to demo monitors. Excellent screensaver.

There was plenty of hardware for sale, too. When I was building my first PC, Bowlers was where I bought my first motherboard.

There was always a huge selection of PC cases with plastic windows and lights, LED fans, EL wire, that sort of stuff.

Very fond memories of that place.