Settling in Behind
the Counter
It has now been a couple of months since Dreadnought Books first
opened its doors. It took me a while to settle into my new working rhythm, but
now I have got over the initial anxieties I am thoroughly enjoying tending
shop.
The start has been encouraging. There is still much work to
be done in terms of spreading awareness and generating interest in the shop.
Nevertheless takings have been reasonable, and I have already accrued some
regular customers. This offers a new, social dimension, largely absent from
internet selling. Whilst I am still able to use quiet times in the shop to
proceed with listing books online, the intermittent interaction with shop customers
provides a good balance to the working day. No longer is the computer screen my
only working companion.
I have been particularly pleased with the favourable
reaction received from the public. Whilst many have commented on it being a
somewhat brave move to open a second-hand bookshop in the current economic
climate, both in general terms, and particularly regarding the current state of
the book trade. Many are delighted to see a second-hand bookshop opening, in
stark contrast to recent years, where Bristol, as in many other places, has
seen the number of second-hand bookshops dwindle considerably. This popular good
will has further confirmed to me that with plenty of hard work I can make a
good go of things and hopefully be here for many years to come.
Adjusting to city life has also been a gradual process, and
one that is still in progress, but I am already beginning to enjoy what Bristol
has to offer.
Publicity is now the main item on my working agenda. I have
been interviewed by a journalist from the Bristol Post for a feature on new independent
shops which should hopefully appear in about a fortnight’s time, and am steadily disseminating
my promotional propaganda across the city. I have set up a Facebook page for
the shop and hope to use this for updates on new stock intakes, event
announcements, and brief contemplations on books and bookselling more
generally. Whilst continuing to post occasional blog articles should I feel
compelled to write more extensively on something.
Please like the Facebook page if you wish to keep abreast
with Dreadnoughts’ development: https://www.facebook.com/DreadnoughtBooks
