An ideal bookshop

[Newjobnewstartbooks]

If you lived in a small town, what would you want from an independent bookshop? Clubs? Coffee? Wine? Toddler reading? Cheap?

Oh to have a book shop that isn't Waterstones or supermarket book's.

I set up a bookshop in my local town. Happy to answer any questions you have!

Bookmarking (so to speak ) - this is our dream too.

Op did you know the Bookseller’s Association do proper courses on setting up a new bookshop business? Check out their website, they have lots of resources

I didn't know what my ideal bookshop was until I visited www.highpeakbookstore.co.uk/ near Buxton.
Old petrol station, quirky separate cafe, books galore, children's snug, book lover staff.

are you starting up in my 'small town'? taking over the interior design premises and craft beer shop?
just seen a notification that it's going to become a book shop with a second hand section and selling coffee

Thank you! I have signed up for some small business courses but that definitely would be ideal.

I haven’t got a premises yet - tho that does sound a lot like one I have looked at.. eek. I may have even more competition!

@Newjobnewstartbooks
oh well good luck with the venture. the one in my town seems to be gathering quite a lot of interest while the return is going on

You need to stay in business so whilst lovely comfy armchairs would be great you need people to spend money.

A monthly "selection of books"
Beach reading
Mother/father day
Christmas
Ghost stories for Halloween
Include books for children as well parents/grandparents go nuts of good books for kids

How much do you need to make a week?

How much on a book?
How many units do you need to sell?

A good bookshop is great, but you say a small village, I would support a local independent bookshop but how much would that be realistically, me a book a month, eldest book a month, so two books a month from this household and we love books.

It needs to be a destination, with space for evening/weekend events. Perhaps toddler hour on a weekday that doesn't clash with other local events.

I don't think paint colour or armchairs are going to be the key to success here, a welcoming atmosphere, enthusiasm, and taking every opportunity you can to make money. A regular order/visit to care homes perhaps, maps local history for village visitors, selling Christian News (if your surrounding churches produce similar). Sell a board game of the month, host a DnD session once a week, think about a quiz night once a month with a winning voucher (entry £10 a team).

Honestly OP I hope you get an amazing shop and the community uses (or loses) it.

Interesting......this is happening in our nearest small town, too......?

Hah! They know their stuff. The colour of those chairs is Phthalo Green!

@Arraminta
a fellow mumsnetter.... are we a small town or a big village?

does The Lost Robot mean anything to you?

toppings in St Andrews is your go to for inspiration here.

New and second hand books, separately obviously. A free coffee machine Preferably no loud children. Lots of comfy chairs to sit and read in. Plenty of buy one get one free or half price offers. Free bookmarks promoting books/authors. Also selling really nice cards maybe.

I’d love a book club. There aren’t any evening ones in our library any more.
i want you making a profit to keep going meaning not comfy arm chairs as i can just read the book and not buy if it’s a second hand bookshop how do you get 10 new copies or are you gong to get other new book.

A local independent has surprise books. The book is wrapped and a short description, the genre and on the one I bought that it was about characters meeting at a particular place that I know.

No pets. i love cats but not hair on books and not in a food area. However given the proliferation of cafes that allow dogs the market says otherwise.

If a cafe then away from the books but that needs more staff catering facilities and obviously food hygiene etc. You’ll need toilets for the public if you have groups.

To become a destination customers need access to parking and for me as I can’t drive public transport.

Well displayed stock
Clean shop floor
Many comfy chairs
Cats
Knowledgeable staff
Sheet music, as well as fiction and non-fiction
Good selection of children's literature
YA books organised well
Writing groups/ book groups when he shop's shut in evenings

Don't bother with jigsaws, mugs and all of that.

I'd also not have a cafe.

Not too much of a focus on hardbacks.

I think this is an interesting question and in my ‘winning the lottery’ fantasy I own a bookshop like described here but I also sell small gift items too. So it would be books, a cafe and gifts.

Ah, it's not the same small town, I don't think? The Lost Robot doesn't ring any bells?

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone for all the ideas and advice. It’s given me loads to think about and some very important points have been made about what is achievable and what is me being idealistic and a bit too optimistic. If I manage to do it I will keep you all updated and invite you to all events! 50p off your first book purchase?!

Thank you! I absolutely love the surprise books! I have bought a few of those in bookshops and they have been a great way to find a book I might not have picked up off the shelf. One place did it for Valentine’s Day and they were romance ones which I thought was really sweet - a date with a good book!

Years ago I went to Hastings where there was a really good second-hand bookshop. In the night it turned into a BYO Thai restaurant, run by the bookshop owner's Thai wife. It was lovely.

Also, I miss Borders in the UK.