First of May
The First of May Bookshop, located at 45 Niddry Street, Edinburgh, first opened its doors in 1976, during a time when homosexuality was still illegal in Scotland (homosexuality was legalised in 1980).
It was founded by members of the Edinburgh Books Collective, including James Allen, who worked there for approximately a year. It operated with the involvement of Ian Dunn, Greg Michaelson, Deidre, Joyce, and Sigrid NielsonIt.
The bookshop quickly became known for its selection of radical literature, including LGBTQ+, feminist, and socialist books. It also provided a meeting place for various groups and campaigners aligned with its progressive ethos and politics.
The First of May Bookshop saw significant success with feminist books like 'Silences' from Virago and 'Woman on the Edge of Time' from the Women's Press. The shop sold over 100 copies of Staumillions poems and all the Spare Rib tea towels they could get hold of.
The bookshop grew and moved to larger premises at 43 Candlemaker Row in 1982, allowing for more space for children's books and additional titles on energy, the Third World, Ireland, and Scottish issues.
It hosted exhibitions and organised significant events like the first Fringe Book Festival in 1983 and the Edinburgh Community Information Fair in 1984. They also started a mobile bookstall to reach a wider audience.
Sadly, the bookshop accumulated losses over four years which ultimately led to its closure on October 10, 1987.
Sources:
First of May bookshop Wikipedia [accessed 13.05.2025]
Radical Bookshops Listing, Radical Bookshop History Project (November 2023) [Available online here, accessed 13.05.2025]
The Radical Bookseller, No. 1, Oct 1980
The Radical Bookseller, No. 4, Jan/Feb 1981
The Radical Bookseller, No. 55, Sept/Oct 1987
