It's Our Birthday!

Six years ago today I opened our black shiny double doors for the first time as 'my' bookshop. There has been a bookshop here at 122 High Street for nearly 50 years, for the most part in the hands of women who all worked tirelessly to bring books to the people of Burford and beyond. We started life as The Red Lion Bookshop and when Sara Hall took over she changed the name to The Madhatter Bookshop and added elegant headwear to the shops offering.

Sara handed me the keys in early March 2020, then we were hit by the pandemic but took those few months of lockdown to paint and rebrand and so on the 24th June 2020 we opened.

I am so very proud of everything we have achieved as a team, staff past and present. From the launch of Burford Literary Festival to the opening of our favourite child, Little Madhatter Emporium, right across the road at 103 High Street. I believe that if you create a magical space for children to enjoy then they become more curious and excited by the world of books. To get children reading is not only important academically but vital to their mental wellbeing, in a world where we are all bombarded with bad news, the ability to get lost in the wonderful world of stories is a gift.

Many people tell me I have their dream job and I must say working with books and people who love books is indeed the dream, even on my most tired days I am still grateful to put my key in the door and walk into my very own wonderland but make no mistake, it is tough and it is particularly tough at the moment given the rise of the online goliaths, the retail chains and the economic struggles for many families.

BUT

If there is one thing we booksellers are then it is resilient and I believe The Madhatter Bookshops are woven into the fabric of our community here in Burford, we bring people together which in turn forges new friendships, we give space to community events, tonight we host Burford Comedy Club, and we champion the human connection of reading.

To celebrate our birthday, because its too hot to eat cake, from now until Sunday, we are giving away £5 Book Token to all our local supporters, if you live in Burford or nearby just pop in and collect yours from Madhatter Bookshop.

Until then, Happy Birthday to us!

Kim and the Madhatter Team