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Independent Bookshop Week - a chat with The Christian Bookshop in Birkenhead
As part of Independent Bookshop Week, we are featuring interviews with, well, independent bookshops!
We chatted with The Christian Bookshop in Birkenhead about reviews, social media, comfy shoes, and – of course – books!
The Christian Bookshop, 14 Grange Road West, Birkenhead, Wirral CH41 4DA
Tel: 0151 647 8743
www.christian-bookshop.org
Hours: 9.30 -5 Monday to Friday. 9-5 Saturday.
Facebook: @cbsbirkenhead
Twitter: @ChristianBkShop
Email: sales@christian-bookshop.org
The Christian Bookshop in Birkenhead has been serving the people, churches and schools of the Wirral for just over 72 years. Situated in the centre of Birkenhead, it is now the only full-time Christian Bookshop in Wirral and Chester.
The shop is owned by a Trust, and staffed by 4 paid staff and 6 volunteers, 1 of whom runs our successful ‘outlet’ in one of the West Kirby churches every Wednesday.
We stock bibles, books, cards and gifts, music and church stationery. We are a stockist for the very popular Bible Speaks Today bible commentary series, and we are a stockist for the New International Version of the Bible.
Rather than have events at the shop we do take our stock out to churches and events and run ‘bookstalls’ where the stock is tailored to the event. Examples of these are; last year the Archbishop of York came to Birkenhead on mission and we provided bookstalls at two of the major gatherings. We take stock along to Wirral Gospel Partnership events three times a year – this year they have had Jonathan Aitken speaking at one of their events. We have also just started to provide a small permanent bookstall at the Foxhill Christian Conference and Retreat Centre which is part of the Chester Diocese. We also have churches who run their own bookstalls using the stock they take on sale or return from the shop.
Wirral is approximately 60 square miles in size and our customers are very much ‘locals’ and quite often long term supporters of the shop and its ministry. We are very grateful to these supporters and friends and for their commitment to keeping a Christian bookshop on the High Street. For our 70th celebrations we invited our bookstall agents and friends of the bookshop to a wonderful afternoon tea in one of our local vicarage gardens – which was a beautiful sunny day and great fun. We held an all day celebration at the shop with live music, puppets, poetry reading and of course cake!
1. What’s the best part of working in an independent bookshop?
As an independent you get to choose your own direction, stock, and displays. There is more freedom in your choices. You are able to choose stock that your customers will hopefully want rather than just accept the stock which can be dictated to you from a central source far away.
2. As a company, what sets you apart from chain bookshops?
We're more like family and friends. We offer great customer service and are able to be more personal in our approach, like ringing a customer up when you have a book that they might like, or dropping a book round if they can't get in to the shop.
3. Tell us about a recent event you’ve held. What made it special?
Earlier this year we held a local author book signing, a survivor of the Hillsborough disaster and local man who found faith following a long struggle with mental health and addiction. Although it was a very informal and small event it was run mainly to help the author take his very first tentative steps into signing territory, which can be a daunting thing! So we were happy to provide a safe and friendly environment for him.
4. As an independent shop, how do you approach social media?
Social media can be quite scary and very fast moving! Two years ago we had an apprentice and he immersed himself brilliantly into this role, adding well thought out photos and comments, he even set up a trial app for us! But we haven't been consistent and even though we use Twitter and Facebook I think this is an area that challenges us.
5. What advice would you give someone who would like to work in a bookshop?
If they are young and inexperienced I would say don't be discouraged when someone says to you they prefer electronic books! Win them round if you can. If not, get them to write reviews of books they've read for you! Turn it in to a positive.
If they're older - you're going to be on your feet a lot, get some really really comfy shoes!
6. If you could make one policy change to encourage people back to the high street, what would it be?
Free parking – all day, every day!
7. What do you do to make your shop inviting to customers? And what do you do to make them come back?
We always smile and welcome the customer in to the shop, we try to keep our shop and window displays bright and interesting, creating kerb appeal. Our shop has often been called a peaceful haven, so we would definitely want to keep that feeling. We actively engage in conversations with our customers, not just deal with a transaction.
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