Spalding, Holbeach and Bourne stores support Independent Bookshop Week

Avid readers are being urged to cherish a trio of south Lincolnshire stores during a week that celebrates independent book shops.

Independent Bookshop Week began on Saturday on runs until the weekend in a bid to shine a spotlight on retailers who fulfil our reading needs.

Darren Sutton, owner of Bookmark in Spalding, pointed to the fact that many larger towns and cities nearby don’t have independent book stores.

He said: “I think nowadays it’s quite a niche in retail to have an independent book shop in your town.

“Spalding is quite lucky to have such a shop.”

Bourne Bookshop, in North Street, is running a series of offers throughout the week.

Owner Karen Smith said: “It’s a great way of just focusing on bookshops, what we do and what’s available.

“We are very well supported - people love coming in and having a browse.

“In here you will probably find things you didn’t know were there - or something with catch your eye for a present. It’s always great to have a browse.”

Holbeach Bookshop is an independent, volunteer-run bookshop based in Park Road.

Trustee Nick Worth said: “Independent shops are vital to the sustainability of town centres and we are delighted to be part of that.”

He added: “While many people may read books online, there is nothing quite like getting your hands on a good hardback book and at our independently run Holbeach Bookshop we have good quality yet affordable books, an inspiring and ever changing window display and a very friendly service.”

Nearly 70% of the books in The Holbeach Bookshop are first editions and it’s also proud to stock works that explore the area’s history and culture.

Among those in stock are ‘A neat little town - a history of Holbeach’, Fenland Families by Rex Sly, Lighthouses of the East Coast, Lincolnshire Airfields in the Second World War, Aspects of Spalding Villages and Lincolnshire Alms Houses.

South Holland-based poet Benjamin Zephaniah is supporting the event.

He said: “When I say I owe a lot to independent bookshops, I mean it. My first book was not published by an established publisher, it was published by Page One Books, an independent book shop in east London. When I couldn’t find venues to perform in, I performed above, or in, independent bookshops all over the country. Independent bookshops made me, and I don’t want to get too heavy, but in times like these I use them for their human connections, and as a political statement. Long love the book lovers.”