Things have been moving on apace. The work on the shop is nearly complete and we have started thinking about the shop layout. The next big event is for us to hold public meetings for anyone interested in the bookshop. We are holding these meetings to give folk the chance to find out about the new shop, how you can become a member of the cooperative by buying a community share and the benefits of being a member.
The meetings will be held on the 23rd and 29th of February at 7.30pm in the shop at 2 St Ann’s Road, Malvern. You only need to come to one.Please do come along. Tell anyone you know who might be interested to come along too! Share a link to this post with your friends.
To launch the shop we need around £20,000 to cover shop fittings and the initial stock. Some of this has already been funded by the existing coop members, some we will borrow but we hope a significant amount will come from supporters investing in the project. At the meetings we will explain how this investment in membership will work.
In the meantime you can browse the wonderful examples of bookshops that have been featured in the Guardian this week. They provide us with inspiration and something to work towards. What is it about bookshops – I can’t imagine 200 people leaving comments about their favourite shoe shop.
You might also think about what you’d like to see us stock – leave a comment here with any ideas!
Hi
I’m interested in investing and helping out. I may not be able to make the meeting so please could you contact me via email.
thanks
Leah
Hi Leah
You should have had a message from us….
Hello! Yes I’ve had a message. I think I posted 2 comments :-/
Won’t be able to make the meeting on Thursday but hopefully next week.
Interested in investing if still required. Please let me know by email. Good luck with the venture. Bookshops are more than just a place where books are sold.
Hello Helly et al!
Rachel here (Fletcher, now Hibberd)……what a fantastic thing you are doing! I’ve been meaning to drop you a line for absolutely ages! I will support you in any way I can…we’re really busy with our business http://www.photographymadesimple.co.uk but if I can help in any way I will!
We teach in Scotland, and we were really struck by an NTS business model for a book shop. Basically, people donate books, and they are sold at a pretty cheap price (£2-ish for paperbacks). We went along and spent about £40 when we were on holiday, and then at the end of the holiday, when we had read the books, we took them back to be re-sold…brilliant! No guilt/expensive fines like libraries!
I have always used Beacon Books to order books rather than use Amazon.
Let me know if I can help…..we could run basic photography courses, and of course, I could maybe do something around Children’s book illustration. I illustrated 20 books for Harper Collins about 6 years ago.
Love,
Rachel x