Books / Clifton Community Bookshop
A Day in the Life of Clifton Community Bookshop
10:50 am. The brisk breeze can be heard through the trees in the morning. That or it’s Sarah Vaughan singing Tenderly through my headphones.
I put the key in the door and turn the fairy lights and heating on first. I take a quick glance around the main table and make note of books I wish to swap out. Ascending the steps to the stockroom, I dump my belongings and immediately look around the shelves for books to replace those on the main table.
Coming back to the front, behind a red door are two white tables to be placed outside the storefront in an L-shape. There are two boxes of books waiting for their moment of sunshine, waiting to be picked up by the passer-by or the antique enthusiast.
Main table books
At 11, the bookshop is officially open. I play some jazz through the speaker and count the cash float. Now, I start the day. I see if any gaps are on the shelves and fill them. I feel they look malnourished when empty, but on the other hand it’s a good sign, because customers are buying books. A healthy rotation is always favoured in the bookshop. Or as I like to call it, “a healthy diet”.
During the day, I’ll schedule inductions for new volunteers, to take them through what a typical day looks like and what they’ll need to do. Many tend to be locals and/or students looking for a calm literary environment. I’m happy the bookshop can be a third space for our volunteers. Some like to come and read on their shift; some do some work from behind the desk and others like myself, are happy to stay in the back and sort.
An ever-changing collection of Penguin classics
By now it’s the afternoon. If we’re low on customers, I can dash to Can’t Dance Coffee at the end of the street. If it’s still quiet in the shop, I’ll sort through some donations in the stockroom. This is by far my favourite part of the shift. To me it’s another form of people-watching – wondering how long the book resided in a home library, whether it was fought over or begged for, or if it was a gift. I think about the relationship behind an inscription. Many times I have found old postcards and assortments used as bookmarks.
If the books are worth something, they are shelved. Since they’re new, I may replace them with the ones I put on the table in the morning. The rest remain in the stockroom. Any books we cannot keep are taken by or sold to World of Books.
Jane, the much-loved owner of the Clifton Community Bookshop
Just before closing the shop, I’ll check the rota to see if any events are on that night. Alfie is our resident guitar teacher hosting the shop on Monday evenings. He’s also a part of our management team. Carolyn hosts a Tarot club on the first Wednesday of each month and a Creative Writing group that meet fortnightly on Sundays.
If there’s an event, it usually requires us to clear the books and tables. We host a range of gigs, student societies and other events. Anya Pailthorpe, a local folk singer-songwriter, took over the bookshop one night last December for a gig and used it again last night.
And with that, I clear the outside tables and books, count the cash float for the day and turn off the fairy lights. At 5 pm, I lock the door to the shop. Tomorrow, another day awaits for our growing community of book lovers.
Alfie, part of the Clifton Community Bookshop management team and resident guitar teacher
Visit the Clifton Community Bookshop on 10 Clifton Road, BS8 1AF, or go to www.cliftoncommunitybookshop.wordpress.com for more information.
All photos: Clifton Community Bookshop
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