Edinburgh Bookshop crowdfunder raises £11k with Ian Rankin pub trip and Maggie O’Farrell visit

The Edinburgh Bookshop has launched a crowdfunder to support the move to bigger premises at a former off licence with rewards from the likes of Ian Rankin, Maggie O’Farrell and Alexander McColl Smith raising more than £11,000 so far.

Fundraiser perks include a trip to the pub with Ian Rankin, afternoon tea with McColl Smith, a personal appearance by O’Farrell at their book group or a one-to-one with literary agent Jenny Brown. 

The campaign has already raised more than £11,000 over the past few weeks, almost a quarter of its overall goal of £50,000, and will run until 13th June.

The multi-award winning store is relocating to a former Oddbins nearby at 176 Bruntsfield Place, which will allow it to virtually double the number of titles, create a dedicated children’s room and space for most of the store’s events and book clubs. It is a few doors away from the birthplace of writer Muriel Spark and the shop will include a tribute to her. 

Marie Moser, the shop’s owner, said: “We are delighted to be moving to a bigger site, but we don’t want to just add more bookshelves.  

“We are determined to create something magical for our community, where adults and children alike can immerse themselves in the wonder of books. We are truly touched by the generosity of these literary superheroes, and those customers who have already pledged to the fundraiser.” 

The store is open seven days a week, all year round and has been based in the Bruntsfield community for the past 14 years. In an average year it runs 104 story times for the under-fives, more than 50 author events, four different monthly book clubs and takes authors to multiple local schools as well as supporting fundraisers for more than 40 charities.