A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air treatment chamber having a first end, an axially opposed second end, an axis extending between the first and second axially opposed ends and an axially extending air treatment chamber sidewall. The air treatment chamber air outlet is provided at the second opposed end and the first opposed end is moveably mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the air treatment chamber is open. The air treatment chamber has a stationary portion and an openable portion and the openable portion is moveably mounted between a closed position and an open position in which the air treatment chamber is open. When the openable portion is in the closed position, the openable portion and the stationery portion abut along peripheral edges that extend along a length of the air treatment chamber sidewall.