Doncaster church bookshop to close because it is too small for social distancing

St. Peter-in-Chains Church is announcing the closure of the Maridon Bookshop on Wood Street.

It is run by volunteers most of which are over the age of 70 but due to its small size they cannot follow government guidelines.

The risk to their health led church bosses to decide to close it.

The Maridon shop was a popular feature in the town centre for many years, opening originally as part of the Maridon centre on Nether Hall Road in 1999 before reopening in September 2019 on Wood Street.

Shop manager Margaret Mosley said: "From our humble beginnings, the Maridon Bookshop was first opened some twenty years ago by Fr Gerald Harney and Sr Emma Bechold.

“It has since grown into a vibrant hub for all of our customers across Doncaster and beyond.

“Thanks to our wonderful, dedicated family of volunteers, we have enjoyed serving customers over the last twenty years.

“Whilst we are sad to leave our premises on Wood Street, we pray for God's blessings as we look forward to the next chapter of the Maridon Bookshop."

The shop will continue to operate from St. Peter-in-Chains Church on Chequer Road after Masses selling books, cards, and gifts - details will be posted on the website and Facebook page in due course.

The book shop focused primarily on religious books of a Catholic nature.

Fr Darren Reid, said: “It is a place where people can go for resources of a religious nature. There are texts which help to prepare children for communion and couples for marriage.”

“The bookshop provided people a place to dig deeper and learn more about religion.”

Margaret said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers, past and present, and hope that we see you in church in the near future.”

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