Welcome to Booksy Interviews! In addition to Booksy Book Reviews, I have decided to try and carry out regular interviews with people involved in the children’s book industry.
Where better to start than a bookshop owner! Bookshops are the lifeblood of the children’s book industry. This week, I was privileged enough to have a chat with Kate, the owner of The White Horse Bookshop – a fabulous independent bookshop in Marlborough. To find out more, read on.
Booksy: How did your bookshop function during the lockdown?
Kate: Well, during the first lockdown we had to unfortunately shut down completely. However, this time round we’ve been doing a click and collect system through our website. We either post the books or customers can collect them from the door.
Booksy: Do you miss having customers inside the shop and interacting with them?
Kate: Yes, we really miss them! We miss our regulars and chatting to them. But we do have a regular dog though, and he is still coming in for a biscuit every morning! We especially miss the customers browsing.
Booksy: Yes, I miss that too! I used to really enjoy going around the bookshops browsing and looking for the perfect book. It isn’t really the same ordering off Amazon!
Booksy: Could you tell me a bit about the bookshop and how it got its name?
Kate: The bookshop has actually been in Marlborough for more than 75 years. It’s always been called The White Horse Bookshop. We aren’t entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because there are a lot of white horses round Marlborough!
Booksy: I guess it remains a mystery! What was your favourite middle grade book when you were younger?
Kate: Well, it’s still one of my favourites! It’s called Howl’s moving castle by Diana Wynne Jones I really recommend it!
Booksy: I will definitely look out for it! What advice would you give to a child looking for the perfect book?
Kate: You’ve just got to read what you enjoy! It doesn’t matter as long as your reading. Like the rainbow-fairy books, I’m not a really big fan of them but my daughter loves them so as long as she’s reading it’s fine with me! As long as you enjoy what you are reading that’s ok.
Booksy: I agree. Rainbow Fairy books really aren’t the best- I’ve had to endure reading them to several younger cousins and they really do get boring!
Booksy: And my final question is, when did you start working at The White Horse book shop?
Kate: I started working there about three years ago and I love it!
Booksy: Well, that’s all my questions. Thank you again for taking out the time to do this, I really enjoyed it!
Kate: Your welcome, thank you! Bye-Bye.
Booksy: Bye!
The White Horse Bookshop is open now. If you get the chance, pop in and see their books. They have lots of wonderful books and art supplies.
Website: https://www.whitehorsebooks.co.uk/
Address: 136 High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1HW
By Zainab
