Once upon a time two lawyers (Nic and Juliette Bottomley) decided they wanted to have a go at something else. So, they reviewed their skill-set and did the logical thing; they left to open a fabulous independent bookshop in Bath. Seems like it was the right decision as Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights won the Independent Bookshop of the Year (2008) among a long list of other awards.
The shop is a delight in itself. Mr. B's is located in a beautiful, light and airy Georgian building on the ground and basement floors, with a magnificent double-fronted window that's gone all wonky over time. The shop has old wooden floors, cream shelves, lots of space to move around in, chairs to flop in and a pot of freshly brewed coffee. Mr B's real success however is offering an environment and premium service that makes them a viable and welcoming alternative to the increasingly homogenised high street bookshops. |
Mr. B's have a regular events program with author readings and signings, launch parties, children's events and a regular book group. In their opening year alone the people of Bath heard readings by Christopher Wakling, Caroline Kington, writer/broadcaster Miles Kington, Jeremy Seal. They had a "shakespeare, gunpowder & plot" evening with historians Alice Hogge and Claire Asquith. They had an afternoon tea party and book signing with Mr & Mrs Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. They even launched "The Art of Skiing" by Jenny de Gex, with a mulled wine and Austrian cookies evening and a fun festive evening with local author Jeremy Seal discussing the history of "Santa" through the ages. Get down to Mr. B's and get involved in some great literary events! |
