New chapter for shop leaves book lovers spellbound
ENGLAND’S “largest independent bookshop in decades” has moved to a new premises in Bath.
Topping and Company Booksellers has gone from strength to strength during its 14 years on The Paragon and can be counted as a Bath institution.
But its success reached dizzying heights when its secured permission to convert the old Friends Meeting House on York Street into a bookworm’s paradise.
The new store opened late last month and has been an instant hit with customers.
Books tower over customers, with the highest shelves reachable only by ladder – and everywhere people turn there is another surprise in store, with natural light pouring in from the glass dome above.
Saber Khan helps manage the new store and revealed there were more than 70,000 tomes on its shelves.
He said: “The reaction has been great. Lots of people have been coming in and they’ve been absolutely spellbound by how beautiful the place is and how lucky we are to be here.
“It’s been great to see their happy faces. We have about 70,000 books here – maybe more.
“All of us look after our own sections so it’s very personal and very hands-on.
“Since Saturday, we have had more people in than we can keep track of. On that first day, there wasn’t a quiet moment at all and there are still lots and lots of people coming in.”
It is a labour of love for Saber, who has worked in a bookshop “since his university days” nearly 30 years ago.
He devours anything, from fiction to poetry to crime, and said: “The nice thing about being here is that other people can put you onto books as well.
“Someone might be excited about a book and that would make me want to read it.”
The store is open from 8.30am to 9pm every day and offers a host of book signings and events.