About Us
The story behind our shelves and the people who fill them
Our Story
What began as a modest corner shop in 2008 has grown into something we're genuinely proud of. The original idea was simple enough: create a space where people could discover books they'd actually want to read, not just whatever was being pushed by publishers that week.
That first year was difficult. The financial crisis had just hit, and opening a bookshop seemed like madness to most people we knew. But we noticed something interesting—readers kept coming. Perhaps because books offer an affordable escape, or because people were looking for something meaningful during uncertain times. Whatever the reason, we found our audience.
Over the years, we've expanded our space twice, built a team of dedicated bibliophiles, and developed services we never originally imagined. Through it all, the core mission hasn't changed: help people find books that matter to them.
What Drives Us
Our values shape every decision we make, from which books we stock to how we treat the people who walk through our door.
Genuine Expertise
Every member of our team is a dedicated reader. We don't just sell books—we read them, discuss them, and form real opinions about them. When we recommend something, it's because we believe in it.
Reader-First Approach
Sales targets never drive our recommendations. If we don't think a book is right for you, we'll say so. Building trust matters more than pushing product, and that honesty has earned us loyal customers who return year after year.
Community Investment
We're part of this community, and we take that seriously. Through school partnerships, library support, and free events, we work to make literature accessible to everyone—not just those who can afford to buy new books regularly.
Key Moments
A look back at the milestones that shaped who we are today.
2008
Opening Day
Doors opened for the first time with 3,000 titles and two full-time staff. The initial focus was literary fiction and local history.
2011
First Author Event
Hosted our first reading with a debut novelist whose book we'd championed from day one. The event sold out, and a tradition was born.
2014
Children's Section Launch
Responded to customer demand by opening a dedicated children's area. Partnerships with local schools followed shortly after.
2017
Expansion
Moved into the adjacent unit, doubling our floor space. Added a reading corner and event area capable of seating sixty.
2020
Adaptation
Launched home delivery and virtual author events during lockdowns. Discovered new ways to reach readers who couldn't visit in person.
2023
Subscription Service
Introduced monthly book boxes with personalised selections. The service now reaches readers across the UK and beyond.
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.
Meet the Team
The people behind the recommendations and the conversations that happen across our counter every day.
Eleanor Whitmore
Founder & Director
Started the shop after two decades in publishing. Specialises in literary fiction and has an uncanny ability to match readers with books they didn't know they needed.
Thomas Chen
Operations Manager
Handles supplier relationships, stock management, and keeps everything running smoothly. His personal passion is science fiction and translated literature.
Rebecca Okafor
Events Coordinator
Organises our author programme and community outreach. Formerly worked in theatre, which shows in the quality of our events. Reads primarily non-fiction and poetry.
Daniel Murray
Children's Specialist
Manages the children's section and school partnerships. Trained as a primary teacher before joining us. Can recommend the perfect book for any age and reading level.
Priya Sharma
Customer Experience
First point of contact for many customers. Encyclopaedic knowledge of crime fiction and thrillers. Runs our popular mystery book club.
Michael Brennan
Online Services
Manages our subscription boxes and mail order. Ensures every package leaves with care. His reading tends toward history and biography.
Our Approach to Bookselling
We don't pretend to stock everything. Big online retailers do that better than we ever could. Instead, we focus on curation—selecting books we believe deserve attention and presenting them in a way that helps readers discover something new.
Every title on our shelves has been chosen deliberately. We read trade publications, attend publisher events, follow independent presses, and talk constantly among ourselves about what's worth stocking. If a book doesn't excite at least one team member, it probably won't make it onto our shelves.
This selectivity means you might not always find what you came looking for. But it also means you're likely to leave with something better than you expected.
Commitment to Sustainability
Running a bookshop involves a lot of paper, and we take our environmental responsibility seriously. All our packaging is recyclable or compostable, and we've eliminated single-use plastics from our operations.
We participate in book donation schemes, ensuring that unsold stock finds readers rather than landfills. Damaged books that can't be sold are donated to craft programmes in local schools.
Our premises use LED lighting throughout, and we've installed improved insulation to reduce energy consumption. These aren't dramatic gestures, but they add up to meaningful impact over time.
Recognition
We're grateful for the acknowledgement we've received from industry bodies and our community.
Regional Bookshop of the Year
Booksellers Association, 2019
Community Business Award
Local Chamber of Commerce, 2021
Excellence in Children's Literacy
National Literacy Trust, 2022
Come and Visit
We'd love to meet you in person. Drop by for a browse, stay for a conversation, and leave with something wonderful to read.
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