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Bookstore With A Social Cause
A new purpose-led independent bookshop, café and events space has opened in the city of Manchester, England, as a bid to combat loneliness and isolation.
Based in the Manchester Club building on King Street, House of Books & Friends is the brainchild of Darryl Cooke, founder of Manchester-headquartered international law firm gunnercooke, who has set up a Community Interest Company to run the premises and will reinvest all profits back into running the bookshop and other related projects.
House of Books & Friends has a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for adults and children and a well stocked business section.
It will also run a variety of events throughout the year including ‘meet the author’, book clubs, music evenings, and talks hosted by charity partners. The bookshop will also support Manchester-based independent businesses and authors and offer a space for local community groups.
Businesses are also invited to show support by joining the ‘House of Business Friends Club’ or by using the space for events.
Darryl Cooke, co-founder of gunnercooke said: “It’s well documented that loneliness is a pernicious issue in society, and we’re pleased to be opening ahead of the festive period at a time when many people can struggle.
“One hundred per cent of our profits go back into the organisation, so every purchase someone makes and every amazing event they attend means we can make a difference to those experiencing loneliness.
“We’re very much in a contract with the local community where we only exist because of them. It means there’s a real focus on quality, community service and being as supportive as possible if people are having a difficult time.”
Property giant Bruntwood is a founding partner of House of Books & Friends which is situated in its not-for-profit retail space in the redeveloped Grade II listed Manchester Club building.
Charlotte Wild, head of retail & leisure at Bruntwood, commented: “House of Books & Friends is set to provide a fantastic new independent bookshop for adults and children and will be an important space to help people combat loneliness in the community. We are so pleased to see it come to life and look forward to it establishing itself as a successful new concept for the North West.”
House of Books and Friends has partnered with charity Independent Age which offer regular and friendly contact and free impartial advice to those in society who are getting older and want to remain independent and live life on their own terms.
