Dubray Books takes over The Gutter Bookshop as founder Johnston steps down

Irish bookseller Dubray Books has taken over the management of Dublin’s The Gutter Bookshop as the shop’s founder, Bob Johnston, has stepped down from running the business after 14 years.

The Gutter Bookshop in Dublin’s Temple Bar was established in 2009, with a second bookshop opening in Dalkey in 2013. The stores were recognised at the 2017 British Book Awards when the Gutter Bookshop was awarded Independent Bookshop of the Year for UK and Ireland.

Both the Temple Bar and Dalkey shops will continue to trade as The Gutter Bookshop with Marta Starosta, the current online and festivals manager, moving into the role of overall manager. She will be working with the existing booksellers and will be supported by the Dubray management team.

Dickenson said: “As book trade colleagues we have always had great respect for and a fond relationship with the Gutter team. Dubray and the Gutter share a love of books as well as a genuine commitment to building relationships with customers, authors and the trade, and we are immensely proud to have the opportunity to support this fantastic business.”

Johnston added: “As Irish booksellers with many years of experience I am certain that Dubray will continue to run our bookshops in a customer-focused style – which is all I could ever hope for. I really want to thank everyone – loyal customers, authors, publishers, festivals, friends, family, our amazing staff and everyone else – who have made The Gutter Bookshop such a huge success over the past 14 years.”