Marlow used to have a lovely independent bookshop called Horizons, which sadly closed back in 2007.

However, we have exciting news that in about 10 weeks time, a new independent bookstore –  The Marlow Bookshop will open!  The location will be on Spittal Street, in the vacant store previously occupied by Aspace – next to Marks and Spencers.  This is quite a decent sized shop, so we are looking forward to seeing what they do with it.

Operated by Daunt Books of London

The store will be operated by Daunt Books who operate a small number of shops in London under the “Daunt Books” name. The Marlow shop will not take that name, instead being simply “The Marlow Bookshop”. It will  be the second one they have established outside London, the first being Hart’s Books in Saffron Walden.

Daunt books was founded in 1990 with their first store at Marylebone High Street, which is often cited as “most beautiful bookshop in London” being based in a stunning old Edwardian building that was originally an antiquarian booksellers. Over time 5  more Daunt Books opened in Holland Park, Hampstead, Chelsea, Belsize Park and Cheapside.

What might we expect for Marlow?

A Daily Telegraph article  stated “the shops are known for their knowledgeable staff, their deep ranges and their emphasis on a pleasant experience” so that sounds all very positive.

The Daunt book website states that their intention is “…to arrange books principally by country, whatever the nature of the book – fiction or non-fiction, biography, history, guide or novel – and in so doing creating wonderful browsing both for the traveller and the general reader.” but given the Marlow shop will depart from the “Daunt” branding, it might be that they take another approach. Watch this space for for more updates as we get them!

They are currently recruiting for staff and a manager, and those ads include ” You will be developing a local events programme, liaising directly with publishers and authors to offer an exciting list of talks and launches, plus developing good relationships with local schools..“, which sounds great in terms of building local community involvement.

If you are interested in those jobs, the details are here:  http://jobs.thebookseller.com/company/daunt-books

All very exciting eh?