When the first Kindle was released in 2007, many said it marked the death of the printed book. However, 15 years later a new independent bookseller in the Eden Valley is proving this theory wrong.
The owner of Verey Books in Pooley Bridge is awaiting with anticipation its first Christmas, after opening in a former tea and gift shop in the centre of the village in February this year.
Al Verey had always dreamed of running his own bookshop, and the reality has not disappointed.
Eight months after the launch of this new business venture, Verey Bookshop has received 100 per cent positive feedback from customers and visitors. From being an academic, literary guide, poet and teacher to selling books has been a huge learning curve for Al, but he says he has received great support.
He said: “Owning and running a bookshop has lived up to what I expected. I love coming to work and spending the day involved in books. It is a real pleasure and privilege to meet authors. It is a fascinating world. I have been fortunate to have built up a good relationship with publishers and have received a lot of help and support from the Book Sellers Association. They set me up with a mentor, Patrick Neale.”
Patrick, who runs Jaffe & Neale Bookshop and Café in Chipping Norton, also offers an introductory training course on how to set up and run a bookshop.
Al said: “Patrick has been a great support and was in the shop last week to see how we are getting on. The book world is unique and it has been so helpful to have a mentor like Patrick.”
So what has caused the rise in popularity of books and the demise of the e-reader?
Al said: “Personally, after looking at a screen for much of the day, carrying around a mini computer in your hand (the mobile phone), at the end of the day when you want to relax you want something more meaningful. The book is something real. People want to hold a beautiful looking book.
“You want to smell the print and paper. A book is more than just the words, it is an experience — and then there are the illustrations and artwork.
“We have noticed a seasonal change in the books people are wanting. In the spring it was nature books, and summer holiday reads. Now the focus is on classics and beautiful gift editions of books.”
The independent bookshop is quickly becoming a destination shop and has added to the village’s unique offering for visitors — artisan food and drink, great walks, Ullswater and the traditional “steamers”.
Al said: “I have always loved Pooley Bridge and though I knew a bookshop was something completely different to what the village had to offer, I did always have the feeling this would work in the village. However, the popularity of the bookshop and café has amazed me, it’s more than I had dared to imagine.”
Al is building up a visitor experience within the bookshop.
The Words on Wednesday weekly event invites readers to join an author for a reading and Q&A. The team also enjoy reading for children under six, with the weekly Saturday Storytime proving popular.
