Independent Bookseller of the Month: Dulwich Books, West Dulwich, London
Every month we feature a different bookshop – we ask them to tell us what makes them special and what they like most about what they do. This month it’s the turn of Dulwich Books, in leafy West Dulwich.
Tell us when and why you set up your bookshop
Dulwich Books is based in leafy West Dulwich a very sedate, friendly part of South London with a settled population. The bookshop was founded 27 years ago though it was eight years ago Sheila spotted the bookshop for sale in The Bookseller and acted upon her instincts, knowing it was a brilliant bookshop. Philip and Erif were already part of the successful team, having escaped teaching, Hannah joined from art school and Christina from the movie business.
Are there any specialisations, enthusiasms, interests you and your staff have that are reflected in the shop’s stock?
We are a general bookshop, managing to fit a huge amount of books into a very small space. Our aim is to give customers plenty of choice to browse and make an immediate purchase whilst also offering next day delivery from Gardners and Bertrams on a vast range of titles. We aim to source as many books as we can for our customers from all over the world. Our stock is selected by all the team thereby ensuring an eclectic mix and an interesting range for our customers. We have very strong sections on fiction, art, biographies and crime, even including translations of criminal goings-on from France, Germany and Scandinavia – courtesy of Christina with Erif enjoying both children and adult titles in equal numbers, Philip and Hannah particularly enjoy fiction as well as art and design books.
Do you work with local authors, hold regular events and readings, etc.?
We work closely with the libraries in Lambeth & Southwark on author events. Our most recent event was at Brixton Library with Bonnie Greer to celebrate Black History Month. Other authors this year whom we have supported are: Andrew Motion, Lionel Shiver, Mark Steel, Philip Ardagh, Gillian Slovo and Arthur Smith. Our highlight of the year will be the signing this month with Laura Beatty. Her debut novel, Pollard was read by Philip who raved about it so much that within 10 days of the paperback publication we had sold more copies than any other bookshop in the UK.
What are you reading at the moment?
- Sheila is reading Love and Summer by William Trevor – why oh why did it not make the Booker shortlist, it’s up there with The Secret Scripture.
- Philip is reading 2666 by Roberto Bolano and Cormac McCathy’s Blood Meridian.
- Hannah is enjoying the collection of John Burningham and The Count of Monte Cristo.
- Erif is reading Any Human Heart by William Boyd.
- Christina is juggling The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Death and Devil by Frank Schatzing – enjoying both so much she cannot choose.
What are your criteria for any book promotions (e.g. 3 for 2, window placements, etc.) you may run?
Our promotions revolve around favourites and recommendations rather than price. We choose to run displays and promotions on “books we love” rather than displaying books which are on offer at special discount from suppliers. We “hand sell” a large number of our titles which we believe is the way of the future for independent bookshops. We run a loyalty card scheme and use this to offer money off as well as inviting our mailing list customers to discount evenings, which are always made more enjoyable with the odd glass of wine.
What makes your shop THE shop to visit when in town on a book-buying mission?
We offer a diverse range of titles, hand picked by us and we are passionate about providing the best possible service for our customers. The real attraction of Dulwich Books is the amount of effort the staff puts into recommending books. There’s dedicated racks of recommendations, staff reviews and special little cards all over the place telling customers about the book. Between us we have nearly 40 years of bookselling skills and have read an enormous amount of books….just what any reader would want from a good independent bookshop. Oh and as a bonus not only is there free parking outside, we are surround by a wonderful bakery, a friendly deli and a number of gift shops. Croxted Road is an oasis in an otherwise bustling world.
You can find Dulwich Books at:
6 Croxted Road
West Dulwich
London SE21 8SW
Tel: 020 8670 1920
www.dulwichbooks.co.uk
