Bookplace - Peckham

The Bookplace was a radical community bookshop located at 13 Peckham High Street, Peckham, south-east London, opened from 1977 to 1996.

Its specialist subjects included multi-cultural children's books, local publishing, Black and women’s fiction and non-fiction.

The bookshop also housed the Peckham Literacy Centre and the Peckham Publishing Project. They provided meeting spaces, adult education classes, and resources for local residents to develop literacy skills and publish their own stories.

It also offered services to local schools, conducted anti-racist audits of their book stocks, gave talks to students, and invited them to regular community book fairs.

The Bookplace was considered the 'daughter of Centerprise', because it shared similar values and purposes. Its funding came from various sources, including Southwark Council, Greater London Arts Association, and the Inner London Education Authority.

In 1987, The Bookplace faced closure when its building was put up for auction due to the abolition of the Greater London Council.

A successful local campaign, including an occupation of Peckham High Street and support from local MP Harriet Harman, resulted in Southwark Council purchasing the building, allowing The Bookplace to continue its activities.

Despite these efforts, the bookshop eventually closed in 1996 and is now occupied by Lux Fabrics.

Sources:

Back to the Bookplace Exhibition

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

The Radical Bookseller, No. 55, Sept/Oct 1987, Bishopsgate Institute

The Radical Bookseller, Issue 75, 1991, Bishopsgate Institute