Waterstones and Foyles to open three new bookshops this summer

Waterstones is continuing its investment in new bookshops in 2023 with three new stores, following the opening of 13 locations last year.

Kate Skipper, c.e.o., said: “We are very thankful to our bookselling teams who continue to create such welcoming new bookshops, tailoring each store to their local communities.”

This week the bookselling team in Blackburn have opened the doors to a new store inside the shopping centre. The bookshop has replaced a W H Smith store that used to be open in that location, and will be the only dedicated bookshop in the town.

Hannah Rimmer, bookshop manager at the Waterstones Blackburn store, said: “We are delighted to return to Blackburn with our brand-new bookshop, which will be a great destination for local readers. Children’s reading is a particular passion of ours and we are looking forward to welcoming families and young readers to our beautiful children’s department.

"With this in mind, we are very happy to confirm that The Gruffalo will be attending our launch event on Saturday 5th August at 11 a.m. We cannot wait to share all the wonderful new publishing with our local community; there is nothing quite like visiting a bookshop and discovering your next favourite read.”

Meanwhile, Foyles is preparing to reopen at Waterloo Station, serving commuters and visitors to London. The previous shop was closed by the Network Rail redevelopment in the station last year and the new bookshop will be open from mid-August.

Finally in June, a new Waterstones opened in Petersfield, a return that the retailer said "was highly anticipated by local readers and the community".