Balham Food and Book Co-op

1970 — Closed
2-16, Culmore Cross, SW12 - Balham
1981 — 1986
92 Balham High Road, London SW12

Baltham Food and Book Coop sold political and childrens' books. It moved to 92 Balham High Road in 1981. The people involved with the bookshop were Alex Rainbow and James or David Allen.

They stocked a wide range of feminist, lesbian/gay, ecological, third world ethnic literature, alternative political books, classic and contemporary fiction and children's books. A selection of books was available on art, photography, poetry, drama, music, psychology, occultism and Tarot cards.

The co-op was supported by the Arts Council to put a new computer system in place for stock control. They aspired to be a community bookshop, however in 1986 the Co-op stopped selling books to concentrate on the wholefood side of their business.

Sources:

Radical Bookshops Listing, Radical Bookshop History Project (November 2023) [Available online here, accessed 13.05.2025]

The Radical Bookseller, No.7 Jul/Aug 1981, Bishopsgate Institute

The Radical Bookseller, Issue 45, March/April 1986, Bishopsgate Institute