Doncaster bookshop joins scheme to encourage shoppers to buy from independent retailers

A Doncaster bookshop is among more than 150 across the UK that have come together to try to create a support network to help independent shops compete with retail giants this Christmas.
By Laura Andrew
Published 11th Nov 2020, 12:30 BST

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Boggledybook is an independent book shop in Cantley that specialises in children's literature.

Owner Kerry Marriott decided to join a new online scheme which is hoping to give small book shops a chance against the industry’s biggest competitor, Amazon.

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Kerry, aged 44, said: “When I had to stop providing school book fairs in March I adapted and opened my Cantley shop in September.

Kerry Marriott,44, bookshop owner.Kerry Marriott,44, bookshop owner.
Kerry Marriott,44, bookshop owner.

“Unfortunately that is currently closed due to national restrictions, so I’m reliant on online sales to keep the business going.”

Bookshop.org is allowing smaller businesses to sell their books on their online platform, which after a tough year due to Covid-19, is a welcome initiative.

With many bookshops struggling and the run up to Christmas on the way the new scheme will hopefully bring comfort to business owners.

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They have hopes to see these small businesses make it through the pandemic and keep literature culture alive in towns such as Doncaster.

A display of books inside the shop before it closed due to national lockdown restrictions.A display of books inside the shop before it closed due to national lockdown restrictions.
A display of books inside the shop before it closed due to national lockdown restrictions.

The project to support independent book shops originally started over in the USA but now 150 businesses in the UK have signed up.

Kerry started her book business seven years ago as she felt children’s literature needed to be more accessible to kids who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

She said: “When doing research I found that one in eight kids in the UK don’t own a single book at home.

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“That broke my heart and I wanted to do something about it.”

Before she opened her book shop Kerry visited schools and hosted book fairs across South Yorkshire.Before she opened her book shop Kerry visited schools and hosted book fairs across South Yorkshire.
Before she opened her book shop Kerry visited schools and hosted book fairs across South Yorkshire.

Kerry chooses to keep the price of her books from £1 to £3 to make sure that they are accessible to as many children as possible.

The bulk of her books are aimed at children under 11 years of age but she is expanding into teens.

Bookshop.org is helping business owners such as Kerry be able to deliver their books in a time frame of two to three days which means they actively compete against big online retailers.

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To help support the Boggledybook shop you can shop on their new online shop here.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.

Related topics:DoncasterCantleyAmazonCovid-19USA