What is a local bookshop?

A local bookshop provides bookselling tailored to the needs of the community it serves. To do this, each bookseller listed on this website:

• has less than 10 branches, usually within a 50 miles radius of each other - otherwise it's not a local bookshop, it's a national chain;
• sells new books and offers a special order service for harder to find titles - otherwise it's not really a local bookshop, it's just a shop that sells a few books to support other products;
• has retail premises that can be visited in person - otherwise it's not a local bookshop, simply a virtual retailer or even a warehouse.

If you know of a bookshop we've omitted that meets the above criteria, let us know by clicking here.

What's special about a local bookshop?

Above all, local bookshops are run by people with a passion for, and knowledge of, a wide range of books. By providing all the services above combined with this passion and knowledge, local bookshops can both easily supply books required, but also suggest new and unexpected additional titles.

For a personal view of the qualities of a local bookshop, click here  to read author Ronald Blythe's summary.

Can a local bookshop supply the book I want?

All of the books that can be supplied easily by online retailers or large chains can also be supplied by a local bookshop in more or less the same time.

In addition, although online retailers list any book in print, the availability of many of these is described only vaguely (e.g. '4-6 weeks'). Some of these books are indeed available in this time, but in many cases, the availability description is simply unhelpful. The 'in print' status simply means that technically the rights to the work haven't been released, not that a physical copy actually exists - but there is no on-screen distinction.

A real bookseller can usually tell from experience which category a particular book falls into and so won't take an order (and money) for a book that can't ever be obtained new.

The number of books easily available (i.e. overnight) is far larger than can ever be accommodated in retail premises. However, independent booksellers can choose their stock on a personal basis using their selection to allow readers to consider books they may not otherwise have bought. To do this outside of books promoted elsewhere (i.e. the bestsellers) requires the knowledge and experience of a real bookseller.

Do all local bookshops have websites?

Most independent booksellers do now have their own website. Many of those listed here are also fully integrated so the selections you make and add to your basket on this site are automatically transferred directly to a shopping basket on the bookseller's website.

How do I know what the price and availability will be?

This site displays the recommended retail price for a title and approximate availability. In addition, for many booksellers listed, you can see the exact price and availability by using the 'find a bookseller' option to transfer your shopping basket directly to their website. For those bookshops where this integration is not available, an e-mail enquiry service is provided.

How do I get started?

Click here for details of how this website works. Alternatively, please contact us here for more information.