Today marks World Book Day, an annual celebration of the joy of reading. Driven by a charity that offers every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own, the day can have a large impact on the lives of young people across the country.
We’d like to take this opportunity to celebrate the day by doing what we do best – championing regional businesses. We’ve put together a list of ten of the most incredible bookshops in Hampshire to visit this World Book Day:
Proud to be Southampton’s main independent bookshop, October Books provides everything from books and beautiful greetings cards to organic foods and cleaning products to the region’s residents, schools and students. The company operates a highly valued community space, running events and offering hirable areas.
Having been based in Kingsgate for almost 300 years, P&G Wells Booksellers is a well-known name in Hampshire. Providing a platform for local authors and supporting schools and pupils, the company does its best to be active in every facet of the education sector from student’s work placements to teachers’ conferences.
Isle of Wight-based Medina Bookshop may be a small independent bookshop, but its impact on the local community is palpable. From its constant events, blog posts and new releases to the two-bedroom apartment it offers for guests of the shop, the company works hard to be a source of wonder within the region.
Gracing the Lee-on-the-Solent high street for nearly a century, The Book Shop is one of the oldest surviving booksellers in the South Coast region. The company is a great supporter of charities based within the surrounding area and beyond. Constant innovations such as the opening of its online shop and providing ‘Positivity Boxes’ during lockdown have made this beloved bookshop a key community figure.
Established in Petersfield in 1994, One Tree Books is one of the region’s most renowned award-winning independent bookshops. Driven by a team that all ‘share a love of books, reading and great coffee’, the company stands out with services such as its unique ‘book doctor’ program.
Offering customers an enormous array of books, both brand new and desirably old, Blue Bear Bookshop is a well-respected no-nonsense member of the community. The shop offers everything from international literature, children’s picture books and memoirs to essays, graphic novels and recommendations based on the media you already love.
The Imaginarium is a beloved fixture of Lymington’s high street, always being well-stocked, inspirational and approachable. Striving to bring together those with a love of stories, for shop owners Daniel and Robyn the success of The Imaginarium is a dream come true. Together with Willow the Shop Dog, they have created a staple of business within the region.
Running a bookshop, coffee shop and licensed bar all in one, the team behind Goldfinch Books has found the ideal way to combine their love of literature, music, wine and craft beer. Keeping the high street alive with its unique twist on the classic bookshop, the company holds a special interest for supporting mental health awareness and building a culture of relaxation and creativity.
Southsea’s Pigeon Books is a well-loved figure in the Hampshire Community. A combined effort by shop owners Mel and Phil, the store supports readers from all walks of life. From biographies and poetry to fiction and cookbooks, Pigeon Books is a must-visit for any book lover in the region.
Renowned for its exceptional customer service and author signing events that attract some of the most well-known names in the world of literature, The Hayling Island Bookshop has been a leading business in the region for a long time. The company offers a range of services including online ordering and searching for rare and out of print books.
If you’re based in or around the Hampshire region, why not pay a visit to one of these amazing establishments on this World Book Day?
If you’d like to get more involved with the world of business in Hampshire, then keep an eye out for the second annual Hampshire Business Awards.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural black-tie gala event, we’re immensely excited to have the chance to meet even more of the region’s most prevalent businesses this year.
You can find out more about last year’s event and register your interest for the next one here.
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