Sales and footfall up for first Bookshop Day

Bookshops have reported higher footfall and sales for the UK’s first Bookshop Day on Saturday (8th October), which involved events with high profile authors, illustrators in residence and customers reading in bookshop windows.

Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights in Bath hosted Lizzy Stewart as an ‘illustrator in residence', coinciding with Bath Children's Literature Festival (illustration by Lizzy Stewart right).

Edward Scotland from Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights, said the shop was “inundated” with customers on Saturday and sales were “definitely up”.

“We were rushed off our feet on Saturday, we were inundated,” he said. “A lot of the first few people through the door wished us a happy Bookshop Day. Like all these things, not all our customers were aware it may take a while to take off, but if it gains the traction of Record Store Day, where you hear reports of people are queuing to get into stores before they even open, we are definitely up for that.”

The Booksellers Association launched national Bookshop Day to coincide this year’s Books Are My Bag (BAMB) celebrations. The day also closely followed the release of high profile books in the run up to Christmas, including titles by Margaret Atwood, Michael Palin, Graham Norton, Ben Fogle, Jeremy Paxman, Miranda Hart, P.D. James and more. Customers were encouraged to tweet their support for bookshops using the hashtag #BookshopDay, which was trending on the Twiter social media network on Saturday.

Kate Harris of Harris & Harris Books in Suffolk said her customers “loved” the celebrations she put on for the event.

“I have a teeny tiny bookshop but it was crammed full today with lots of delish readers and shoppers,” she said. “Being such a small shop, it’s tricky to have in-house events, but I had colouring competition hand out, gift wrapping, lots of givaways, including the amazing BAMB bags and bookmarks. I also had a basket of autumn goodies (the only orange fruit I could find was a bag of satsumas, so I filled up with apples from our meadow and some smashing conkers I found on my walk) to hand out rather than the usual tin of chocolates…Everyone loved it and my home made sloe gin too. Lots of happy people… suffice to say a grand day was had by all.”

Meanwhile Waterstones in Peterborough had customers sitting in the shop windows reading (left).

Jacqui Howchin, manager at the shop, said: “Our customers showed their support for us by sitting reading in the window for half an hour. Those that couldn't manage that were still happy to show their support in other ways!”

Altogether over 2,000 bookshops in the UK and Ireland celebrated Bookshop Day, which also involved high profile authors appearing at many stores.

Margaret Atwood went to Toppings bookshop in Bath, Ann Cleeves attended a “Shetland Afternoon Tea” event in Far from the Madding Crowd bookshop in Linlithgow, Scotland, and Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown, celebrated his new book Lesser Spotted Animals (David Fickling) in Westbourne Bookshop in Bournemouth.

Cleeves told The Bookseller: “We must celebrate our bookshops - they have been vital during my thirty-year career. After all, nothing beats an expert book recommendation. Like libraries, bookshops have the power to open doors to other worlds. We must cherish them - everyday.”

Ann Cleeves at Far from the Madding Crowd bookshop in Linlithgow, Scotland

The BA's head of marketing Alan Staton said: “Bookshops across the UK & Ireland came out in force to celebrate the first Bookshop Day this weekend. From Cressida Cowell opening the children’s section at the brand new Foyles Chelmsford, to Tales on Moon Lane in London hosting a Gruffalo dance workshop with the Royal Academy of Dance, the enthusiasm and creativity with which the bookselling community greeted Bookshop Day was palpable, and it was wonderful to see #BookshopDay trending throughout the day on Saturday as well.

"And while we’re already looking forward to celebrating Bookshop Day again next year, there is still lots to come from Books Are My Bag this year; from the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards to Civilised Saturday: watch this space.”