Cranston & Perry: Our First Bookshop.

Aim

To grow an independent bookseller giving remarkable old books a new chapter and celebrating the written word in an increasingly digital age.

We source vintage, nostalgic, collectable and antiquarian books, helping people find books to cherish, whether that's a childhood favourite, a beautiful old edition, a meaningful gift or a book they've been searching for.

And we're not book snobs. From tatty to pristine, we believe books don't have to be perfect to be worth cherishing. A well-loved childhood copy with worn corners can have just as much of a story to tell as a pristine first edition.

We love old books, but that doesn't mean we want dusty old shelves. Our vision is something fresh, welcoming and full of life. Somewhere you can discover an old book, stop for a coffee, have a conversation and feel part of something.

We want to build a hub around books, stories and people. For children, that could mean story times and experiences that introduce a new generation to the magic of books. For adults, it could mean poetry evenings, author talks, book clubs, creative events and wine evenings paired with books. Or simply somewhere to enjoy a coffee surrounded by books.

In a world where so much of what we read, watch and share is becoming digital, we want to celebrate something wonderfully physical: holding a book, turning its pages, discovering its history and eventually passing it on to someone else.

Ultimately, Cranston & Perry is about more than selling books. We want to preserve stories, rediscover forgotten favourites, cherish the written word and create a community around books that mean something to people.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 10th December 2026 at 12:00pm