Books / News
Bristol’s smallest bookshop opening soon
Many people dream of opening their own bookshop. For Lizzie Moss, that dream is about to come true. She just needs to fill her shop with books.
Heron Books will become the smallest bookshop in Bristol when it opens in the Clifton Arcade in Clifton Village on October 1.
It’s a culmination of many years of work for Lizzie, who has previously worked as a teacher and as a bookshop manager in Cambridge before moving to Bristol with her partner, a professional puzzle writer.
is needed now More than ever
The new shop will sell new books – a “little bit of everything” according to Lizzie, “but I want it to be for the community with a brilliant selection of children’s books, and a really diverse and inclusive range of authors”.
“I just want it to be a warm and welcoming space,” says Lizzie, 31, who lives in Bishopsworth and who named Heron Books after her great-grandmother’s maiden name as well as being such a fan of the bird that she even has one tattooed on her forearm.
After leaving teaching, Lizzie worked for Waterstones which has had a branch in Clifton Village since 2018 and has most recently worked for the University of Bristol.
Heron Books will become the only independent bookshop in Clifton and Lizzie hopes that Heron Books will be able to complement rather than compete with Waterstones.
“People are really enjoying returning to independent bookshops like Bookhaus, Max Minerva’s, Storysmiths and Gloucester Road Books.
“There is definitely space for more, and being part of Clifton Arcade means we can link up with the galleries when they have exhibitions, get the relevant art books for example.”
“It has already been really lovely to join this community. Everyone here has been so welcoming while I’m setting up my first business.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Bookhaus manager named among UK’s best booksellers
- Popular bookshop reopens in bigger premises
- Bristol’s bookshop revival challenged to be more inclusive
- New art gallery opening soon
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