Hi! My name is Anys and I own a small independent book shop in Horsforth, just outside Leeds. I've been open almost two years now and love it!
I wanted to make the shop the sort of place that I would like to spend time, somewhere everyone and anyone feels comfortable coming so I have cushioned areas for little ones and comfy sofas for adults. I play different music thats in keeping with the ethos of the shop so interesting lesser known artists as well as local musicians.
I try to sell a real mix of everything in the shop but not really the sort of things that you'll get in the supermarkets. To me it is vital that I know the stock I carry so I read as much as possible and talk to others about what they are reading - that means that my stock in about 95% something that either I have read, I know someone who has read it or i have read about it. I try to get new interesting books in and love finding new authors and encouraging others to do the same.
Just into my first year I started running two reading groups and now I have four groups for adults and two for under 16s which are great fun and you meet such a range of people - let alone read things you wouldn't have picked up ordinarily. I also run writing groups and am trying to host as many author events as possible.
Check out my other website www.the-idle-hour.co.uk
