Scores of people headed to what was the America’s Cup Village yesterday hoping to scoop up furniture bargains stored in two warehouse-sized tents.

The Village was almost unrecognisable with little fanfare and just a few vehicles removing the temporary infrastructure.

America’s Cup T-shirts, hats, bags and merchandise were being sold for as little as $5 per item, while electrical and kitchen equipment were available at half-price.

The goods have been sold in three stages. The first sale was limited to AC35 staff, then partners and corporate contractors and finally the general public.

However, many items were given away, with schools, churches, charities, government agencies, the Corporation of Hamilton and the airport project benefiting from donations.

America’s Cup Village site manager Jon Mulligan said there had been a mad dash for certain items, notably outdoor summer equipment such as tables, chairs and umbrellas.

He said: “We had fully furnished accommodation units, where the staff were living, and we gave whole sets to the Salvation Army.

“A lot of furniture and office equipment went to schools and churches as well as the fresh water stations. It’s a win-win situation.

“The playground with the mist tunnel has gone to the Botanical Gardens.

“Many items were sold at a discount to the Bermuda Government, the Corporation of Hamilton and the airport project. The Corporation of Hamilton had a lot of crowd-control items such as barriers and cones. Everyone who bought something saved money. We are not making a lot of profit on the sale, it is mainly to cover the added costs of bringing them to Bermuda.”

As for the public, many left the site with armfuls of bags, with one lady filling her entire car with goods. Another lucky couple scooped up one of the best bargains of the day in Team Softbank Japan’s BBQ.

Originally priced at more than $2,000, the lucky couple walked away with it for half the price and Team Japan’s chef delivered it to their home as they continued to shop.

Ronnie DeSilva said: “It’s a big Weber BBQ for half price, so we are now set for the summer. I asked the Team Japan guy who is delivering it whether he comes with the BBQ because he was their cook!”

According to Mr Mulligan, all of the boats have all been snapped up at discount prices.