Member of the Month // October Books
More than just a bookshop: we’re local, radical and eco-friendly!
October Books is an independent, radical, community bookshop run as a not-for-profit co-operative enterprise and has been selling books and providing information, support and literature to the community for over 40 years! Any money we make, is ploughed back into the business. We trade independently from any political organisation, and seek to promote a fair and equal society. Our workers and volunteers are from many different backgrounds, and they bring diversity to the shop, so everyone feels at home in October Books.
October Books Have Bought The Bank!
On 8th August 2018 October Books completed on the purchase of the freehold of old NatWest bank building at 189 Portswood Road. The purchase was made possible by the loan and donation of over £330,000 from the local community. October Books have also taken out a loan of £150,000 from Co-operative and Community Finance to cover the cost of remedial work and renovations to the building.
October Books Collective member Clare Diaper said:
“We’ve been blown away by how much money has already been committed by our local community in support of this project…. This demonstrates how much support there is for independent bookshops and a real desire for community spaces in our city.”
October Books would like to involve the community as much as possible in the development of the new space and there are many volunteer tasks, jobs and creative projects that the community can get involved in. See below for up and coming events or click here to contact one of the staff to find out more.
Join the Human Chain
On Sunday 28 October we are holding a Human Chain event where we are asking the community to help us move some of the stock, passing books from hand-to-hand down a “human chain” from the old premises to our new home. All our welcome, please register!
Lift and Shift
On Monday 29 October to Friday 2 November we are offering a “free work out” for those who might like to help us with some of the more heavy lifting associated with moving house! Visit our website to find out more.
Volunteer Drop-In Sessions
Every Thursday at the shop between 4pm and 6pm, where people that want to assist with the move can choose a task from our ever-expanding list of “things to do”.
Other plans for the bookshop in the bank include selling the upper floor to the Society of St James and converting the alley behind the bank into a community garden.
For further information please contact one of the October Books team Clare, Jess or Joey on Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm: