Independent bookshops make you feel part of a local community of readers | Salisbury - Salisbury Journal

Last week, I visited The White Horse, an independent bookshop located in Marlborough’s buzzing and smart high street by Anna Tuckett, Writer and journalist.

 The White Horse Bookshop

It has been an important part of the town’s fabric since 1943 and in its current location since 1949. 

At one point, it was briefly in danger of closing, but the current owners rescued it in 2014.
The shop was then refurbished and a new, spacious room was added to the rear of the building for events, exhibitions and presentations. It also boasts an art studio.

Offering 25,000 titles in store (and 200,000 online), The White Horse is now a thriving cultural hub, and I left feeling my visit was far too short – I could spend many happy hours exploring its shelves...

Many have declared their preference for buying books from such shops, even if it meant spending more than if they shopped online.

Such reactions help explain why independent bookshops are bucking the general trend - despite many other types of stores disappearing from our high streets in recent years, the number of independent bookshops in Britain is growing.

One such bookshop is due to open in Salisbury soon, thanks to Jo Boyley, an experienced and passionate bookseller...

As Ann Patchett, the bestselling novelist, who co-owns Parnassus Books, an independent bookstore in Nashville, said: ‘I opened a bookstore because I didn’t want to live in a city without one.’ 
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Source: Salisbury Journal