Blackwell's to open new Belfast bookshop

Blackwell’s will open a new bookshop in Belfast on Monday (8th April) after moving out of Queen's University's student union. 

Based in a converted house at 42 University Road, Blackwell’s says the new shop “is designed to reflect the ambiance of an elegant, traditional bookshop and a contrast to Blackwell’s previous shop within Queen’s students' union.” 

Blackwell’s, which has supplied books for Queen’s students through its students' union shop since 2012, has operated in nearby temporary premises at 28 University Square since September 2018 due to a major reconstruction of the students' union. 

The retailer, which has 32 shops, said the decision to relocate reflects Blackwell’s “continued expansion into more mainstream locally curated bookselling”. The shop is the latest Blackwell’s with access to over 15 million titles via Blackwells.co.uk and comes after the retailer launched a new shop in Manchester in February. 

Supporting students and university staff will be key stressed Blackwell’s, but there will also be a range of trade books, Irish literature, stationary, gifts and board games. 

C.e.o. David Prescott said: “We are really happy with the new shop and its main road location in such a great city. With this opening following quickly on from our new-build, new-look Manchester shop where sales are already racing ahead, we are feeling increasingly confident in our independent high street shop and multi-channel proposition.”

Shop manager Áine Feeney added: “We have many years of bookselling expertise and customer service from our experience with students and academic staff. It’s really exciting that we can now extend this to a much wider audience in a brand new high street bookshop. We can’t wait for the opening.”

The shop will open Monday 8th April, with an official opening to take place on Tuesday 30th April with Belfast-born and award-winning playwright, Paul McVeigh.