Lucie Riches is the owner of Old School Bookshop in Old Buckenham, which opened its doors on December 1. Ahead of a Festive Sunday Opening, she explains how you just can’t beat a night in with a good book!
How has the Old School Bookshop come about? What were you doing before (or what are you doing alongside?)
I have had an online bookshop since lockdown – selling second hand books in excellent/like new condition in my spare time. I also held a few local book sales in the Norfolk & Suffolk area which proved really popular.
My background is varied but has predominately been in the charity sector, undertaking support and project roles for a number of different health, awareness and welfare charities. Currently I work part-time for a charity called Surviving Economic Abuse offering the team operational support with the important work they do for victim-survivors.
I have always wanted to run my own bookshop and have a very nerdy interest in the cataloguing and collecting of books. I remember my careers advisor telling me at school that I was suited to the role of librarian or archivist (and in fact I did have a brief job as a librarian many years ago but I think I lacked the confidence at the time to chat with people so I found it difficult). I have always enjoyed reading and the escape that it offers from the anxieties of life. Running my own bookshop has allowed to enjoy my interest in reading and organising books whilst also stretching my creative and marketing muscles and it also allows me the freedom to try things my own way and build my confidence.
Are you Norfolk born and raised? Have you always loved books?
My father’s family are all from Norfolk but my family moved to Shropshire when I was a baby and I grew up there. We moved back to East Anglia when I was 16 years of age and I finally made the move back to Norfolk in 2018.
Yes I have always loved books and reading and would retreat into my world of stories as a child – I always preferred reading alone to mixing much with other people or chatting when I was younger. I would get very anxious when talking in social groups and suffered from selective mutism (caused by social anxiety) so reading offered me friendships, adventure and escapism. Luckily I enjoy socialising much more these days, but you still can’t beat a night in with a good book in my opinion.
What makes the bookshop unique, in your opinion? You’re trying to be as environmentally conscious and ethical as possible?
I am offering a top quality choice of books in excellent/as new condition but at about half the cover price. Because they are technically ‘used’ books, they are a more environmentally friendly way of buying books – especially combined with shopping local/our eco conscious postage options.
We also aim to offer opportunities to escape into a book retreat. We are in a rural and peaceful environment which immediately brings a sense of calm. We stock merchandise from local artisan creators and are planning art exhibitions in the new year featuring Norfolk artists.
How did the opening go?
The opening went really well and we have been overwhelmed by the support of the local and book community over recent weeks. We look forward to continued support as we grow develop and continue to serve the community.
What sort of events will you be running there?
We have a range of events planned from author events to creative and wellbeing events and we hope to offer more and more facilities in the new year when we renovate the second hall to offer more flexibility of space and function.
I haven’t firmed up yet but we have plans for storytelling events, painting workshops and more author events in the coming months
Where can people find the bookshop, and how can they support what you’re setting out to do?
We are in Old Buckenham in front of All Saint’s Church – there is parking around the bookshop You can support us by popping in to see what we are offering and signing up to our newsletter to be kept updated about the events and plans we have for the future (including a café, community space and of course more books).
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
I would like to get the bookshop established and successful over the next few years whilst starting to work with local community groups and readers to help improve wellbeing through reading. To offer a space where people can switch off from the pressures of modern life and connect with a book or fellow reader to help reduce stress and loneliness would be amazing.
The Old School Bookshop can be found at the School Rooms, The Green, Old Buckenham, Norfolk. NR17 1RN, is open on Fridays and Saturdays, 10am-4pm. There will also be a Festive Sunday Opening on December 24, from 10am-2pm. For more events, click here. Visit the Old School Bookshop and follow on Instagram and Facebook.
Featured images – supplied
I’ve been enjoying going into the bookshop, looking around and talking to Lucie. I even bought some books and wrapping paper!