New chapter for bookshop

8:50am Friday 29th August 2008

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THE owner of a ‘higgledy piggledy’ bookshop which is cherished by residents is getting ready to hand over the reins.

Liz Drew will enjoy her final day in The Bookshop at The Tinners’ Rabbit, in Ulverston, tomorrow (Saturday) before Claire Hayes begin a new story in the shop’s ten-year history.

Mrs Drew said: “I think it is fantastic that someone is taking over. It gives a town heart to have its own bookshop and people really value it. It’s very well supported.

“There has been a lot of worry that it would not carry on as a bookshop, but I really wanted it to continue, though I did not know how long it would take to sell, especially in this current economic climate.”

Along with the interconnecting shop The Tinners’ Rabbit Art Galley, the bookshop has built up a loyal customer base and, last year, it was recommended to readers of The Guardian as a top shop to visit in the North West.

Mrs Drew will now concentrate on her Handstand Press company, which publishes the work of local authors and historians.

She added: “I have mixed feelings. I am looking forward to the next chapter of my life, but this has been the most enjoyable job I have ever done in my life.

“I love being surrounded by books. People who buy books are nice people and all my customers are so lovely. There has been lots of fun here and we have had some great events, such as when Melvyn Bragg and Joanna Trollope held events here. I have lots of happy memories.”

Mrs Hayes, who is from Walney and has a keen interest in children’s literature, said: “I am really excited. It is a shop which I have used myself a great deal. I saw it was up for sale earlier this year but probably did not realise it would be me that would take it over.

“I think it is a successful shop because of what it is already, and I am obviously keen not to change this. I understand it is an important part of the community, and I want to keep it that way. I love Ulverston – it’s a lovely place.”

Meanwhile, Chris Benefield, who runs The Tinners’ Rabbit Art Gallery, said he would shut the shop if a buyer was not found for the gallery by the end of the year.

He said: “I have made a decision that we will close after Christmas. I have got other projects starting. I need to get back to my painting. It will remain on the market until January.”

But The Tinners’ Rabbit will live on in the town in the form of its sister shops, 2x2, run by Mr Benefield’s wife Janet, and The Tinners’ Rabbit Picture Framers, which will both remain open.