Tony Robinson to tour indie bookshops for IBW

Actor, presenter and author Sir Tony Robinson is to bring his No Cunning Plan tour to independent booksellers in community venues for Independent Bookshop Week (IBW).

No Cunning Plan: On Tour will begin on Tuesday 29th June and see Robinson look back over his career, which spans more than 50 years. It will chart his path from childhood stardom to comedy icon Baldrick in "Blackadder", to presenter of "Time Team" to children's author.

The participating booksellers are Ebb & Flo Bookshop in Chorley, Simply Books in Bramhall, Booka Bookshop in Oswestry, Chorleywood Bookshop in Chorleywood, Book-ish Bookshop in Abergavenny, finishing the tour on a high with Topping of Ely at Ely Cathedral.

Robinson will also be doing two school events in the Wirral with Linghams Booksellers, for the re-release of his children’s book, The Worst Children’s Jobs in History (Macmillan Children's Books).

Robinson said: “I love bookshops. Indie bookshops are at the heart of communities and are so passionate about what they do. Get out into your local bookshop and have a good look around, because you never know what treasures you'll find.”

Meryl Halls, head of membership services at the Booksellers Association, said: "We are thrilled to have such well-loved author and personality touring indie bookshops during IBW – and we can’t wait to hear his recommended books as he goes along. Thanks to Tony Robinson and to Macmillan for pulling this amazing tour together.”

Sarah Clarke, sales director for Pan Macmillan, added: “(Tony) has huge affection for the Independent bookshops and it’s great to see that the feeling is mutual.”

IBW will this year take place on 24th June-1st July. Publishers including Bloomsbury, Walker and David Fickling have announced a raft of exclusive editions for the event, including an essay by Philip Pullman.