AN independent bookshop is turning over a new page with a change of ownership and a new name.
The independent publisher Little Toller Books, which opened in November 2020, has announced a change in ownership of its bookshop in Beaminster.
Owners Gracie and Adrian Cooper will be departing from the helm with Nick Robins becoming the new owner of the book shop.
Departing co-owner Gracie Cooper thanked the community for their support, but has said she will be turning her attention to publishing, which she had been doing above the book shop.
The ownership of Little Toller’s publishing business is unaffected, and Little Toller will continue its publishing as before.
Ms Cooper said: "We’ve had such a happy time running the bookshop. We opened two days before the second Covid lockdown but have always been amazed at the support of the community here.
"Having enjoyed our experience enormously and learnt a great deal about the business of running a bookshop, we now feel it’s time to return to focusing solely on publishing. Our office, which is currently above the bookshop, will move to a new location, which is nearing completion."
The new owner of the bookshop is Nick Robins, who has regularly worked in the shop since opening.
Mr Robins, who lives in Beaminster with his family, worked for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre for more than 25 years, having run its museum and shop, and fundraised to complete the theatre.
Later he became head of publications, producing the theatre programmes and editing a magazine about Shakespeare.
He has also written books on Shakespeare’s London, John Donne and Robert Burton, and is the co-editor of the Oxford Guide to Literary Britain and Ireland.
Mr Robins will take over the reins of the bookshop in mid-June and it will trade under the name Beaminster Books.
Ms Cooper added: "We’re delighted that our great friend Nick will be running the shop. He'll do a terrific job, keeping the bookshop at the heart of the community".
"We would like to thank all our customers, and the many publishers, writers, illustrators and readers who have supported us.
"Our respect for booksellers knows no bounds - we learnt more about the business in these few years than in the 15 years of publishing before and we’ll miss the bookshop enormously.
"Who knows, in time, we may return to the shop floor."
Nick Robins said: "I am very happy to take on the mantle of bookselling in Beaminster.
"When Little Toller decided it was time to move premises this year, everyone agreed it would have been a great shame to let the town's small but perfectly formed bookshop go.
"I hope visitors to Beaminster Books will find the same great range of nature titles, contemporary fiction and children's books currently offered by Little Toller, along with (in due course) a carefully curated selection of non-fiction and literature old and new, growing in depth and range as space becomes available."
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