The Bookery

The Bookery, located in Crediton, Devon, is a community-owned bookshop that has played a vital role in fostering community pride and promoting literacy.

When the owner of Crediton’s original bookshop retired in 2012, over 500 residents banded together to keep the bookshop alive.

They formed a social enterprise with the aim of hosting events, literary programmes, and supporting the high street.

By 2013, Crediton Bookshop became community-owned with over 300 shareholders and moved to a larger building in 2016, rebranding as The Bookery.

The Bookery is the only bookshop in the Exeter and Mid Devon area, actively initiating a variety of events and programmes that support literacy, community well-being, and cultural learning opportunities.

It pioneers a school outreach programme to ensure children have access to books, addressing the issue that many children do not have books at home.

Additionally, The Bookery runs a book group organised by Karen Huxtable, which is open to all and offers both online and in-person meetings.

Sources:

Power to Change
Crediton Courier
Devon Live