These Independent Bookshops Are Still Open for Business
In these uncertain times it’s a comfort to see independent bookshops continue to support their local communities, ensuring we all have access to a good book for some much-needed escapism. Here’s a guide to the bookshops we’ve spotted going above and beyond for their customers. You can lend your support by getting in touch and ordering your next read from them.
We’ll keep this post updated as and when things change, but please get in touch if we’ve missed anyone!
COLES BOOKS, Oxfordshire
Coles Books in Bicester are running a delivery service for locals and are happy to post books further afield. Contact them via phone or email to place an order.
Phone: 01869 320779 | Email: info@coles-books.co.uk
LINDUM BOOKS, Lincolnshire
Based in Lincoln, Lindum Books are taking orders for home delivery. Drop them a message on Facebook or email them to place an order.
Email: info@lindumbooks.co.uk | Facebook
MOSTLY READING, Oxfordshire
The team at Mostly Reading in Abingdon will continue to take orders and will arrange postal delivery for a flat fee (£3 unless it is a large order). Contact them by telephone, email or social media between 9am – 3pm. All existing stock is on their website and will continue to be updated.
Email: books@mostly-books.co.uk | Telephone: 01235 525880 | Social media: Twitter / Facebook
THE BELL BOOKSHOP, Oxfordshire
The Bell Bookshop in Henley is temporarily closed but they are still open to posting books out to you and your relatives.
Contact them on telephone: 01491 572583 | email: bellbookshop@btconnect.com | use their website contact page
THE WALLINGFORD BOOKSHOP, Oxfordshire
The Wallingford Bookshop in Oxfordshire can no longer hand-deliver but they’re still able to post out orders.
Email: books@wallingfordbookshop.com | telephone: 01491 834383
TOPPING & COMPANY BOOKSELLERS
This collection of family-run bookshops have closed their doors but will continue to try and get books to you however they can: via post as well as no-contact collection and delivery. Contact them via their email addresses, phone numbers or Twitter DMs.
ELY: email: ely@toppingbooks.co.uk | telephone: 01353 645 005 | social media: Twitter
BATH: email: bath@toppingbooks.co.uk | telephone: 01225 428 111 | social media: Twitter
EDINBURGH: email: edinburgh@toppingbooks.co.uk | telephone: 0131 546 4202 | social media: Twitter
ST ANDREW’S: email: standrews@toppingbooks.co.uk | telephone: 01334 585 111 | social media: Twitter
BLACKWELL’S BOOKS
Blackwell’s and Heffer’s are shut for the time being, but they’re encouraging customers to order books and search for light relief via their website: http://Blackwells.co.uk. Keep an eye on their social media channels for updates and reading recommendations.
WINSTONE BOOKS, Sidmouth & Sherbourne
Winstone Books shops in Sidmouth and Sherbourne are offering a postal service via the Royal Mail at the moment. They request that you contact them via telephone or email to place your orders. Check them out on Twitter for virtual browsing and reading inspiration.
Sidmouth store: telephone: 01935 816128 | email: winstonebooks2@gmail.com
Sherbourne store: telephone: 01935 816128 | email: winstonebooks1@gmail.com
THE EDINBURGH BOOKSHOP, Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Bookshop can’t let you in to browse at the moment but want you to know they are open and taking orders!
Telephone: 0131 447 1917 | Email: mail@edinburghbookshop
LIGHTHOUSE – EDINBURGH’S RADICAL BOOKSHOP, Edinburgh
Lighthouse Books in Edinburgh are just putting last bits in place for their move online and for their #LighthouseLifeRaft initiative! Get in touch via DM, phone or email and not just for ordering! They can’t wait to hear from you.
Twitter | email: books@lighthousebookshop.com | telephone: 0131 662 9112
MAIN STREET TRADING COMPANY, Scottish Borders
Main Street Trading Company’s new online shop will remain open. Please note that although there are currently a small number of books listed, they can supply the full range if you contact them by email to request a specific title. Books can be sent out throughout the UK, they will be charging a flat rate of £1.50 for small packages, £5 for larger orders. Head here for more info.
They are looking into supplying a range of deli items to sell online, and will keep you updated as this evolves.
Twitter | email: info@mainstreetbooks.co.uk | telephone: 01835 824087
MR B’S EMPORIUM, Bath
MR B’s Emporium are fully ready and available and working hard to fulfil all of your book needs as ever, but with no customer access to their physical shop floor for the time being. Their booksellers are all still working and will now focus all of their attention on looking after you and your book orders without face-to-face contact.
Check out their themed booklists curated by booksellers on www.mrbsemporium.com
If you require a book that isn’t on their website send over a quick enquiry and one of the team will be able to add it straight away so you can make your purchase
Head over to their brand new Youtube Channel
Visit their ‘recommendation station’
You can place orders for books, vouchers for future use, reading subscriptions etc via
Email: books@mrbsemporium.com | Telephone: 07546 479 908
PICKLED PEPPER BOOKS, London
The crew at Pickled Pepper Books have moved all their sales online during this period. You can browse their shop to place an order or email with a list of any books in print (including adults titles). They will send over ways to pay and dispatch books to you via their home delivery service in 48 hours for orders placed before 2.30pm. Their online shop delivers nationally and internationally. Do take a look!
Alternatively send them an email with the last books you enjoyed and our book fairies will make recommendations for you next reads.
Contact: Twitter | email: info@pickledpepperbooks.co.uk | telephone: 0203 632 0823
CITY BOOKS, Brighton & Hove
City Books in Hove are offering direct delivery to customers in their local area.
Contact via phone: 01273 725 306 | email: info@city-books.co.uk
BOOK-ISH, Wales
Book-ish in Wales have now moved all their activity online for the foreseeable future. If what you’re looking for doesn’t feature on their website, just send them a message and they’ll get you sorted with books, jigsaws and games!
Twitter | Contact Form | Telephone: 01873 811 2556
John Sandoe Books are still open for business but, for the time being, behind closed doors. If you call up, books may be ordered for collection, and mail order to almost anywhere in the world continues as usual. For those deprived of hours of contented browsing, their wonderful, funny and learned staff will be happy to discuss your book selection or reading wishes by telephone.
Telephone: 020 7589 9473 | Email: sales@johnsandoe.com
GRIFFIN BOOKS, South Wales
Although the shop is now closed until further notice, you can still order from Griffin Books over the phone via email, website and through social media.
Telephone: 029 2070 6455 | email: info@griffinbooks.co.uk
GOLDSBORO BOOKS, Covent Garden
PRIMROSE HILL BOOKS, London
The team at Primrose Hills Books invite you to get in touch with requests or for recommendations and bookshopping advice.
As always, you will be able to order any titles currently in print in the UK — most of which are available overnight. For those who live locally and are in self-isolation, they can deliver books to your door free of charge. They can also offer shipping to any UK address, with the option of next-day delivery where available. Finally, to stave off the quarantine blues, they are planning to expand their range to include a selection of DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, children’s activity books and colouring books.
email: shop@primrosehillbooks.com | telephone: 0207 586 2022 | Twitter
WEST END LANE BOOKS, London
Despite shutting up shop for the time being, West End Lane Books are still offering recommendations and repartee over Twitter and Instagram… it’s just that you won’t be able to buy the books from them just yet.
BURWAY BOOKS, Shropshire
Burway Books is closed to the public but their business is very much still up and running! A member of staff will be available from Monday – Saturday to take your orders by email or you can text Ros. In lieu of being able to browse their shelves they will be updating their window display regularly to showcase new books and give you ideas and recommendations. Their website and Twitter account will also be updated regularly with recommendations. We can only post or deliver your book supplies. Payment can be made by card, or bank transfer. We can deliver books locally or we can post them. Postage within the UK and local delivery will be free of charge.
telephone: 01694 723388 | email: ros.ephriam@btconnect.com | Twitter
BOOKA BOOKSHOP, Shropshire
Booka are encouraging you to shop with them online, place book orders by phone, email and social media, with free local delivery (10 mile radius) and a small charge for posting further afield.
telephone: 01691 662 244 | email: hello@bookabookshop.co.uk | Twitter
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WARWICK BOOKS, Warwickshire
Mog and Paul at Warwick Books are still taking orders via telephone and email and posting out your purchases!
telephone: 01926 499939 | email: info@warwickbooks.net | Twitter
KENILWORTH BOOKS, Warwickshire
Kenilworth Books is closed for browsing but they can still take your orders via phone or email and deliver in the area for free or post to you if you’re further afield.
telephone: 01926 855 784 | email: info@kenilworthbooks.co.uk | Twitter
DRAKE THE BOOKSHOP, Stockton-on-Tees
Drake the Bookshop in Stockton-on-Tees is offering home delivery! If you live locally they an offer this for free, but there will be a little extra charge for customers further afield. You can contact them via telephone or email
telephone: 01642 909970 | email: books@drakethebookshop.co.uk | Twitter
FORUM BOOKS, Northumberland
Forum Books in Corbridge, Northumberland are keen to keep in touch! Their full collection is available on their website and they’re taking enquiries via email. Keep an eye on their social media channels for updates
email: hello@forumbooksandkids.com | Twitter
NEWHAM BOOKS, London
“If you can’t get to the bookshop, the bookshop will come to you”
Newham Books in London are operating a delivery service and are offering gift vouchers that will be redeemable in store once the lockdown is lifted.
telephone: 020 8552 9993 | email: info@newhambooks.co.uk | Twitter
FOX LANE BOOKS, Yorkshire
With 16 years bookselling experience, Kirstie of Fox Lane Books wants you to know that they will offer personalised recommendations and deliver within Yorkshire…and beyond!
email: kirstie@foxlanebooks.co.uk | contact form | Twitter
FIVE LEAVES BOOKSHOP, Nottingham
Five Leaves in Nottingham is posting books out to customers and they want you to know they can supply any book in print. Get in touch via email and the team at Five Leaves will be in touch with personalised recommendations. Books will be mailed out and payment can be made over the phone or by PayPal or by a National Book Token. They can supply you direct or send to a friend with a message or card. Discounts are available to book groups.
email: bookshop@fiveleaves.co.uk | telephone: 0115 8370397 | Twitter
THE PORTOBELLO BOOKSHOP, Edinburgh
Browse their beautiful online shop and place your orders. The team at The Portobello Bookshop are on Twitter giving recommendations and are keeping staff on full pay while we’re all on lockdown.
contact form | telephone: 0131 629 6756. | Twitter
LEDBURY BOOKS, Herefordshire
Ledbury Books are offering *free* local delivery and will be posting books out further afield.
telephone: 01531 633226 | email: info@ledburybooksandmaps.co.uk | Twitter
WOODBRIDGE EMPORIUM, Suffolk
Woodbridge Emporium have been doing some sterling work: sending free books to NHS Frontline Workers. What a lovely idea. Support them by ordering online so they can keep the scheme running!
email: woodbridgeemporium@gmail.com | telephone: 01394 382382 | Twitter
CORNELL BOOKS, Tewkesbury
Cornell Books in Tewkesbury have also set up an online shop and are sending out deliveries. Check them out!
telephone: 01684 293337 | email: cornellbooks@aol.com | Twitter
If you spot anymore that you deserve a spot on this list – get in touch!
