A new bookshop is opening in Bedale selling both pre-loved and new books.
The building, which was formally the Copy Shop, has been taken on by Miranda Hargrave, a local book enthusiast who also works for Fostering, North Yorkshire.
Ms Hargrave said: “I’ve always wanted to open a bookshop, and one doesn’t exist already in Bedale. I think books have become more popular due to the pandemic, and by opening this shop I’m fulfilling a dream.”
The shop has been named Miss Havisham’s Bookshop after the character in the Dickens classic Great Expectations, and aims to have a nostalgic, Victorian feel.
The downstairs of the shop focuses solely on the arts, with genres such as theatre, dance, music, art and the classics. It also has a separate poetry corner with space for customers to create their own poetry and display it in the shop.
Upstairs there are books of all genres in the children section and there is a dressing up corner, a writing/art area and a music space.
Ms Hargrave said: “I want the shop to be inclusive which is why I went for mainly pre-loved books in immaculate condition.
“This way it’s not too expensive for people, so everybody can enjoy a visit to the shop.”
On the children’s section, she added: “I want it to be a place where parents can bring their children, grab a cup of coffee, and relax and play with their little ones.
“Reading, I believe, is so important for both the imagination, and mental well-being of children and adults.”
The shop will also be open later in the year for events such as poetry open mic nights, children’s creative craft days and book signings and once business is underway, there are plans to take the books on the road to local craft fairs.
Ms Hargrave is hoping to have the bookshop up and running by the middle of February and there will be updates on Miss Havisham’s bookshop Facebook page and the Miss Havisham’s bookshop website about an upcoming opening event.
If you have any enquiries, please contact Miranda Hargrave on misshavishamsbooks@gmail.com or through the Facebook page Miss Havisham’s bookshop.
Miranda Hargrave photographed outside of her new shop.
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