Daunt Books to open first branch outside London

Daunt Books is to open its first branch outside London in April.

The company is set to open in Saffron Walden, Essex, under the name Hart’s Books.

The 1,500 sq ft shop will be located on King Street near Hart’s Yard in the town centre, and is slated to open in April.

A bookshop called Hart’s Books closed in 2007 in the town, and, wanting to see it return, brothers Martin and Andrew Turnbull have allowed the Hart’s Books name to be used by Daunt Books.

Martin Turnbull, m.d of W Hart & Son Ltd, an office supply company, said he was “excited” that Hart’s Books would be opening again.

“I am delighted we have been able to help in the re-establishment of an independent bookseller in the heart of Saffron Walden,” Martin Turnbull said. “We were very sad with the closure of our bookshop in 2007, so it is very exciting to be able to witness the rebirth of a genuine bookshop.”

Daunt Books has seven branches in London, six under the Daunt Books name and one in Kentish Town called The Owl Bookshop.

Daunt said: “We are very grateful to Martin and Andrew Turnbull for introducing us to Saffron Walden. We greatly look forward to welcoming Hart’s Books to our small family of independent bookshops.”