New Books at North Books!

Julie North has opened a bookshop selling new books and beautiful things at 4 Castle St in Hay-on-Wye.

A former journalist on the HerefordTimes, Julie has a background in books having worked for a few other bookshops and recently achieved a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University.

“It was time to try it my way”, said Julie, who has always dreamed of running a bookshop.

The Pandemic made us all take stock and make decisions that maybe we’d been putting off.An opportunity came up to purchase the property, a former commercial bakery, in the town where Julie’s children were born.

“The shop had been closed for business for a number of years, although many people have fond memories of the former shopkeeper, Brian Harris”, Julie said. “I hope to do his memory proud and give the property a new lease of life. It has looked quite sad and tired of late.”

North Books opened with a stock of fiction,YA and fantasy, Welsh literature and environmental and eco writing.

Over time I aim to add a coffee bar and a few other elements to the bookshop, including a range of book-groups that may appeal to locals.

It’s a tricky time to be opening a new business but with bookselling I feel that people appreciate the human touch and a recommend based on previous reads, rather than just an algorithm.

I will be introducing a loyalty card to reward repeat business and can order anything in within 24hrs.

Article supplied by North Books