A new chapter begins for Bookends of Fowey

A FOWEY bookshop has had a revamp – its first in six decades.

Down the years the premises of Bookends on South Street have housed other businesses besides selling rare and second-hand books, but have never had a refit.

Bookends owners David and Ann Wilmore and staff member Jo Moore, reflecting on the changes to their shop in Fowey. BOTL20130202A-002_C
SHELF SERVICE: Bookends owners David and Ann Willmore and staff member Jo Moore in the newly refurbished shop.

Ann and David Willmore took over Bookends ten years ago and Bookends Too in Fore Street was born a few years later, dealing in new books, art supplies, CDs and greetings cards.

Now the couple have decided it's time to downsize. Bookends Too has been sold, while the original shop enjoys an overhaul for the first time in more than half a century.

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"We've had a complete refit," said Mrs Willmore. "It's the first time the interior of the shop has been changed in more than 60 years.

"People remember it being used as a sort of haberdashery, and even further back as a hardware store.

"It changed to a bookshop around 30 years ago but the interior always remained the same; new owners simply made use of what was already there. This will be the first time it'll actually have proper bookshelves inside."

Despite the new look, Mrs Willmore said, they didn't want to lose their integrity as a second-hand and antiquarian bookshop, but would be incorporating the new books, art supplies and greetings cards Bookends Too dealt in.

"People will still be able to order new books and pick up their art supplies," she said. "Often people come to Fowey and are inspired by its stunning scenery; they feel the need to draw and paint what they see and we want to continue to provide them with the means to do so."

The move to combine both shops in the original premises has seen more than 8,000 books travelling the short distance from Fore Street to South Street, and all the old shelving knocked out ready for the new dawn.

According to Mrs Willmore, it's been a labour of love and one they haven't faced alone: "Our friends have helped us every step of the way, from helping to take out the old shelving to picking up paintbrushes to moving the stock with us."