Durham is home to some fantastic independent businesses. This week, I have chosen to have a look at the three indie bookshops that are unique, inspirational and provide refreshing pull to the city’s high street.
BookWyrm
Nestled inside of Durham Market Hall is BookWrym. Founded by husbands Chris and Miles, it specialises in LGBTQ+ publications as well as books from small and independent authors. I spoke to Chris- pictured here on their iconic chair.
Chris told me that Miles is a successfully published author- originally of sci-fi and fantasy but more recently of children’s books. It is a thriving business, supported by students, tourists and a very healthy local customer base. They contribute to the Durham Book Festival as well as literary events around the city.
Chris said that, although this was their own creation, they took some inspiration from Portal Bookshop in York. Since setting up, they have also helped to inspire the creation of The Queerish Bookshop in Darlington.
Favourite book: Chris- The House in the Cerulean Sea by T J Klune.
Miles- Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
Favourite thing about Durham: The community here in Durham.
Collected
Collected is a bookshop specialising in work written by women. The current store, at 44 Riverwalk, was opened in 2022 by owner Emma Hamlett.
Emma hard at work. Lovely selection of cakes! The shop will soon expand. Watch this space.
Emma has always been a bibliophile and avid recommender of books and when she left her career as a museum curator in 2020 she knew her new career lay in literature. She started her business from a mobile van until moving to the current location.
Why books by women?
Despite growing equality there is still a gender bias when it comes to publishing, the media and reading habits. The majority of literature put in front of us is created, published and critiqued by men. Therefore, Collected goes some way in addressing these dated norms.
The bookshops is flourishing and also has a small café where customers can enjoy a morning cappuccino and cake with their new purchase. Collected is expanding and will soon have an second floor.
Favourite thing about Durham: Emma says she loves how the city is classically medieval. It’s winding streets, vennels and the iconic setting inside the meander of the River Wear. (As a geography teacher, I was impressed by her observational eye!)
People’s Bookshop
First established in 2011, People’s Bookshop now has it’s new home on Durham’s High Street. It was always intended to be more than a book shop- it aims to ‘create a community hub, a space for the free flow of ideas…and a gathering place for radical Durham’.
Jeremy Corbin is a big fan of the shop and it oozes a charm that would attract anyone interested in political and social history and culture of the county. It is set up as a community benefits society and is run by 30 volunteers. It is now more popular than ever due to its accessibility and wide customer base.
Regularly, it [literally] rolls back it’s bookcases to host a range of events with refreshments. I have not been to one yet, but certainly will do.
Upcoming events at People’s Bookshop:
- Wednesday 6th February: Mark Chapman, God's Promises Mean Everything - book launch
- Friday 7th February: Tom Rowan- singer/songwriter- live performance
- Friday 21st February: Emory Southwick, Pride of Place: Queer Spaces of County Durham (Miles from BookWyrm will feature at this event).
So, when you next visit Durham, please pay a visit out independent bookshops. An amazing set of people who are really doing their bit to bring some exciting destinations to out city. My wife is going to kill me as I will now inevitably buy more books!
Peter Groark
Walkabout Durham
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