LOCAL MP, Mel Stride, dropped into The Bookery last week – Crediton’s independent, not for profit bookshop.
The Bookery has been community-owned since 2013 and has nearly 500 individual shareholders. The store recently achieved its target of £20,000 in new community share investment and received £10,000 of matched funding from Co-operatives UK, which will be used to strengthen the business and develop its community outreach.
Mr Stride stopped by to hear more about the businesses’ community outreach programmes such as ‘Afternoon Authors’ – a series of events taking place on various weekday afternoons with free tea and biscuits – and ‘Warm Space’, which is open to all and provides a place to meet and hot soup in partnership with the Turning Tides Project.
Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “It was great to visit The Bookery last week to learn more about the fantastic work they do to support the community, as well as some of the challenges they face as a local business.
“Small businesses like The Bookery are the backbone of local communities – they drive economic growth and fuel local job markets. It is vitally important that we continue to support them in whatever way we can.”
Dominic Myers, General Manager at The Bookery, said: “The Bookery sincerely appreciates the wonderful support that our community continues to provide, that enables us to grow our outreach programmes and contribute to sustaining a vibrant High Street.”
The Bookery is currently looking for volunteers to join their Retail Team, helping with book displays and restocking shelves, offering advice to customers, and helping to serve at the till.
If you’re interested in joining the volunteer team, visit www.thebookery.org.uk or Volunteer Coordinator, Kate Tucker, [email protected].
