Charity Book & Music Shop
Charity Book & Music Shop
by: Mo Francis
Opening in Spring 2021? …
At the foot of Brimscombe Hill, just a few minutes’ walk from our current home in Brimscombe Port is our new Book and music shop. From the outside the building does not look much, but when you step inside it opens up like a ‘Tardis’ into a very large, bright space.
Volunteers from Western Depot and the Landing Stages Teams have been carrying out the refurbishment of the former GK Joinery building. This includes insulating the walls, fitting a ceiling with lighting and heating, installing a kitchen, providing office and ‘staff ‘facilities, providing fire escapes, fitting a donations hatch into the backroom sorting and storage area etc. Some Bookshop volunteers have been helping with the painting and the building is really taking shape. A big thank you to all the volunteers concerned in this fitout.
In the meantime, as and when COVID restrictions have permitted, a small group of Bookshop volunteers has been carrying out limited activities at the Bookshop. We were able to sell some books to buyers who came to the Bookshop door (only) with requests. We have also posted out books or jigsaws to other buyers who made contact. This cannot now continue as most of our book stock has been packed for moving.
We have also been selling books to on-line dealers, and have continued, when possible, to sell surplus or damaged stock to Reuseabook. As a result we have raised £7,500 during this time taking the grand total Bookshop revenue to over £120,000.
A very big thank you to everyone who has donated books, jigsaws, and music items of all kinds throughout this difficult time. Please hang on to any items you would like to like to donate. If you have any bookcases or bookshelves surplus to your requirements, we may be able to make use of them in the new shop. We are also looking for large pieces of Contract carpeting to complete the area. Could you please email or phone me with the details – size etc.
Thank you to everyone for your support. Our current hope has been that we might open by Easter but with the present COVID restrictions further delays are very possible.
Mo Francis, Bookshop Manager 07762 879031, mo.francis@cotswoldcanals.org
