Independent Bookshops: more than just tea and cake

Quench in Wokingham is a small shop, situated in a beautiful Craft Village just outside of Wokingham. There has been a Christian bookshop on site for nearly 22 years – initially as part of the St Andrew's chain of shops, but for the last 10 years as Quench – one of 2 shops owned by Tony and Claire Bronnimann. We can be found at Holme Grange Craft Village, Heathlands Road, Wokingham RG40 3AW Tel no 0118 9776715 

We sell a wide range of Bibles and Christian books for all denominations, along with Christian media products, inspirational cards and gifts.

Humble Beginnings

Nearly 11 years ago, as a young(ish) Minister's wife and Mother of 3, I left my beloved London to set up home in leafy Berkshire – quite possibly the hardest move I have ever had to make. Wherever I have lived, I have always sought out the local Christian bookshop, and so I was delighted to discover that just 2 miles down the road was a small bookshop belonging to the St Andrew's chain. Situated in the delightful Holme Grange Craft Village, which included an excellent cafe (with amazing cakes!) this very rapidly became my “go to” place, my “oasis” when I was struggling to adapt to our new life in the country… Within less than a year, I found myself working there part-time. Fast forward 10 years, and here I am managing what is now an indie (well...almost…! I don't think 2 shops constitutes a chain!!) and it thrills me to hear others describe our little shop in the same way as I used to – an oasis, a place of calm, a safe place.

Relationships matter 

For me, the success of an independent bookshop is rooted in relationships. Obviously what we do stems from our relationship with God first and foremost. Then there is the relationship with fellow staff members, local churches, and of course, our customers. For us at Holme Grange, it is also about the relationship we have with the Village owners and the other tenants. Over the last 10 years, we have had the privilege of helping to organise and run events with them, including Christmas activities, Vintage Days and last year's very successful 25th anniversary celebrations, with special “celebrity” guest, Malcolm Corden! As part of the Anniversary, and with the support of regular customers, we were able to give every child that came to the Village a book. Without a doubt, these community events have helped to put Quench well and truly on the map.

One relationship which we have really enjoyed developing (and not just because of the cakes!) is the one with The Grange Cafe, with whom we hosted a very successful “Meet the Author” book evening - an event which we are hoping to repeat again in the near future.

But there is another relationship which needs a mention – the one we have with our sales reps. As an indie, we are able to work with them to ensure that we have the right stock for our customers, rather than having books chosen for us by someone else outside of our locality, with no personal knowledge of them. Often, a rep will present something which we know will be of interest to a particular person, and I love being able to call someone up or email them to say that we have seen a book we think they would like. It shouts to the customer that we value them – and in turn, they value us.

Helping each other 

I love managing an independent bookshop, but what I love more is the fact that we are actually interdependent. We are in this together - building and strengthening relationships, in partnership with so many, and I believe it is that interdependence that gives us our strength. Long live the indies!