The forgotten local bookshop
With the economic crisis, it's not just large chains like Woolworths who are affected, small businesses all across London are gradually closing their doors. It brings a tear to our eyes when we see a local independent business close but even more so when it's a bookshop.
If you're a book worm, then you'll probably already know your local shop and all
the staff that work there. A good bookshop can be like a second home
and with the excitment of an authors talk or social event, they also
have their place in the community.
There is no coffee shop, there are no '3 for 2' offers and you won't be served by a spotty teenager who doesn't know that George Eliot was a lady. The independent book store is a treasure that outside of London that can feel like a myth. Every year more are closing down as running a bookshop becomes more about profit than the passion for reading. An example of this is Metropolitan Books in Exmouth Market which closed in April this year.
Don't get us wrong, we still love Waterstones and Borders with their value-for-money "best sellers" but sometimes, particularly if your looking for something a little more 'out there', a local or niche book shop can be a completely different and enjoyable experience. We have been reading a lot of your reviews on welovelocal.com of such places and have put together a list of some of the best in London.
The Pan Bookshop (South Kensington)
Walking into this book shop is a wonderful experience. The staff adore books as much as the customers so if you have any questions, they are always more than happy to help.
Children's Bookshop (Muswell Hill)
A place to get kids excited about reading. Discover more than just The Hungry Caterpillar here with a book for every child. Great for presents.
London Review Bookshop (Holborn)
The shop is small and stuffy but holds it's own with quirky events, fantastic talks from new and established authors and has a good selection of harder to find books.
Muswell Hill Bookshop (Muswell Hill)
Not only is it thoroughly stocked with wide selections for the paperback flicker to the most discerning hardback-only buyer, but also carries tons on a few quirky subjects
Peter Harrington (South Kensington)
The book 'experts' have impressive window displays and well informed staff stocking heir shelves as well as serving their customers. If you have a book question, this place will hold the answer.
Village Bookshop (North Dulwich)
Approachable, friendly staff make this place stand out from the others with a wide selection of general subjects both fiction and non, a great shop.