Stanfords opens food bookshop in new joint venture

Travel book specialists Stanfords has opened a specialist food bookshop in a joint venture with street food pioneers KERB “to showcase London’s food and cultural history through literature”.

Market Bookshop opened Saturday 7th September and will be permanent fixture at the newly opened Seven Dials Market, based in London’s Covent Garden.

The foodie bookshop will stock over 400 food-focused titles. Each month Stanfords buyers will recommend new books to be added to the collection.

The retailers have said they wanted a dedicated shop space for food writing after moving from Long Acre to Mercer Lane in January 2019. Stanfords has traditionally been aligned with map making and travel books but c.e.o. Vivian Godfrey says the firm hopes to grow its presence into the food literature market.

Godfrey said: "I am very excited that Stanfords has been able to partner with KERB to create our Market Bookshop offering everything we love about London: food, drink and adventure - in print. Stanfords has been trading in Covent Garden since 1853 and is perfectly placed to showcase London’s food and cultural history through literature, in our bookshop.”

Market Bookshop will also host a series of foodie events including book launches and author readings. In the evenings the shop will be transformed into a private dining space.

Stanfords literary launches for October include the first cookbook from London Black Axe Mangal restaurant Chef Lee Tiernan. Black Axe Mangal (Phaidon) is a sensual riot, combining innovative open-fire cooking and underused ingredients with a bold aesthetic, influenced by his love of music and skate culture.

In October, Stanfords will also introduce The Book of St. JOHN (Penguin Books) which celebrates 25 years of St. JOHN Restaurant, famous for its zero-waste approach to fine dining.

Street food accelerator KERB has helped develop food truck businesses since 2010. Seven Dials Market is the organisation’s first permanent site and will host 25 independent food businesses with links to the local area. Seven Dials Market, occupying 24,000 square feet in Thomas Neal’s warehouse, is an all day destination for foodies.