Frontline Books - Manchester
In 1990 Frontline Books took over the lease from Grass Roots Books. Frontline Books offered a wide spectrum of political literature, children's books, and alternative health resources.
The bookshop became a vital outlet for socialist and anarchist literature in Manchester, also serving as a key distributor of Pathfinder books. Frontline Books also provided services for numerous organisations, including the Cuba Solidarity Campaign.
It faced challenges with police raids due to its association with anarchist periodicals.
The collective, including Alison Page, Maeve O’Connor, Rick Seccombe, Neil Swannick, and Hilary Wainwright, worked tirelessly to keep the spirit of radical bookselling alive in Manchester.
Until its closure, the bookshop remained dedicated to its mission of empowering the community through knowledge and supporting various social and political campaigns.
Sources:
Maggie Walker, Gay Jones, Fran Devine and Rick Seccombe, 'Grass Roots Books, 1971-1990', Radical Bookselling History Newsletter Issue 6 May 2023, ISSN 2752-3977 [https://www.leftontheshelfbooks.co.uk/pdf/Radical-Bookselling-History-Newsletter-Issue-6-May-2023.pdf, accessed 14.05.2025]
Radical Bookshops Listing, Radical Bookshop History Project (November 2023) [Available online here, accessed 14.05.2025]
Launch of the Grass Roots Books Archive [https://stayhappening.com/e/launch-of-the-grass-roots-books-archive-E2ISV0EUI3C, accessed 14.05.2025]
Rick Seccombe, Mike Don obituary, The Guardian, 4.7.2021 [https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/04/mike-don-obituary, accessed 14.05.2021]
The Radical Bookseller No. 50 Nov/Dec 1986; No. 55, Sept/Oct 1987; No. 72 Apr-Jun 1990; No. 73 Jul - Sept 1990; No. 75, 1991; No. 76, winter 1991
