People’s Bookshop
When it opened in 2011, the People's Bookshop wanted to be a radical, independent bookshop, but more than that, a community hub. We chat to them about how that came about, how the shop is run as a volunteer collective, what it brings to the community at large and the one book they recommend everyone should read. They came back with some interesting answers. Read on to find out more.
1. We see that the People’s Bookshop is run as a volunteer collective – how was it established, what was the driving force, and have its ideals been realised?
The People’s Bookshop was opened by a North East-based activist, Ben Sellers, back in June 2011. The first shop was tucked up an alleyway in Saddler’s Yard on the way to Durham Cathedral (the crooked staircase became legendary). Ben had worked in Waterstone’s (just next door to the original location) and had always felt there was a gap that a more radical, quirky bookshop could fill, as well as being a hub for community activism. So, in 2011 he took the plunge. It was initially a solo venture, but it wasn’t long before regular customers started offering to help out, and the first ‘bookshop collective’ was formed. Initially, this was an informal volunteer collective but, as time went on, Ben and others started discussing the idea of establishing a more formal co-operative collective, with the help of veteran local activist Vin McIntyre. After the enforced lockdown caused by Covid-19 (which nearly ended the bookshop venture), these plans took shape, a journey towards a more formal community enterprise began, and the move to new, more accessible premises was realised.
2. What do you feel the shop brings to the community at large?
Since opening, the bookshop has been at the heart of the progressive community in Durham. It is a space where alternatives become possible, and a community space where events, meetings and informal discussions happen that might not in more commercial enterprises. We’ve held hundreds of events over the last 13 years, from Owen Jones launching ‘Chavs’ back in 2011 to Women Against the Pit Closures singing ‘Women of the Working Class’ at the top of their voices, to folk singer Joe Solo wowing a packed room with his barnstorming poem ‘Why are you so Angry?’. We’ve also hosted small group meetings for newly formed organisations, with little resources and support from elsewhere – such as the Durham University Feminist Society and the Working-Class Student Association. These events, and the organisation that goes with them, could not happen without the welcoming physical, inclusive space that the People’s Bookshop has become. We still sell books, both new and second-hand – and that is important in terms of the cultural life of Durham – but we’ve always said that we are more than a bookshop.
3. What’s it like running an independent, radical bookshop in the city of Durham? Would you say a lot of your customers are students from the university?
It’s a rollercoaster ride running any bookshop in the current environment, never mind running an independent, radical one on a shoestring. There have been moments over the last 13 years when we’ve looked at our bank balance and wondered whether we could get to the end of the month but, somehow, we always managed to. There is so much good will towards the People’s Bookshop, both locally and nationally. We have been lucky with the few bits of national exposure we’ve had, with some very prominent supporters, including the former leader of the Labour Party, Jeremey Corbyn, but the thing that has really kept us going is the loyalty and enthusiasm of local customers, many of whom have become volunteers. Ultimately, a local, independent bookshop is a treasure, and many people realise that. We have been helped, rather than hindered, by our commitment to a radical politics, as that has given us a focus and a reason for people all over the country to support us, but we are now embarking on a journey in new premises and reaching a wider audience – and that, too, holds many opportunities, so it is an exciting time.
4. If you had to recommend one book that everyone should read, which would it be?
We have chosen the Ragged Trousered Philanthropist because it is a classic of radical literature that puts forth socialist ideas in an accessible way, a quality narrative introduction to the origins of English labour movements.
5. And finally, do you have any exciting plans for the shop in the coming months that you would like to share with us?
As a registered Community Benefit Society (CBS), we are committed to sharing our profits with community organisations. But we believe that we can benefit County Durham in many other ways, especially by making our shop a community hub where people can meet, talk and discuss community action on local issues and problems.
A CBS is run by its Members. In 2025 we will be launching a Community Share scheme where anyone who agrees with our aims and who buys the requisite number of £1 shares becomes a Member, is invited to general meetings, scrutinises our accounts, sets policies and elects the Board of Directors. However, our shop is run entirely by volunteers under the guidance of our store manager. Consequently, we aim to continue to operate as a volunteer collective where every volunteer has an equal voice and is encouraged to make suggestions about running the business.
We are the only radical bookseller in the region and one of the best sources for used books. So, in addition to stocking a full range of academic and leisure books, we will continue to develop our specialisms on regional, working class and trade union history, politics, world affairs, social issues and the climate crisis.
A major worry is that our current premises are due to be demolished as part of a major redevelopment towards the end of 2025. We can only hope that we can find a suitable alternative at a reasonable cost. Wish us luck with that!