A SOUTHAMPTON bookshop is looking for new premises because it says it cannot afford a rent increase.

October Books, the co-operative community shop on Portswood Road, is Southampton’s only independent bookshop and has been selling books and providing information, support and literature to the community for more than 40 years.

Their rent is set to rise to £30,000 a year in May 2018 which, it says, it will struggle to pay.

Clare Diaper, one of the co-operative members, said: “October Books is important to the city because it is so much more than just a bookshop.

"It has been a place for community to come together and be creative, with new ideas, campaigns and activities that help to keep community alive and that give people the confidence to take action.

“It supports social and environmental equality and justice and provides a space for people to flourish. It supports people from all walks of life, helping them back into work or boosting their health and well-being through volunteering with us and being part of the team – and then there’s the books, of course.

“October Books has been struggling to afford the rent in our current location for a number of years and we realised we needed more affordable premises to continue to trade and serve the local community.

“It would really turn things around if our rental payments were paying off a loan or mortgage so that we could own a property, especially if we were doing this in collaboration with other groups, creating a community hub where people can come to share, cooperate and communicate new ideas.

“Wherever we relocate, October Books will continue trading, and we aim to be around for another 40 years.”

A new team took over the reins at the shop in July 2016 when long-term co-operative member Ian Lamming retired.

The new team of Clare Diaper, Jess Haynes, Joey Jones and Jaquie Daniels have been supported by Annabel Hodgson, who has been involved in the co-operative since it started in 1977.

They are looking at the possibilities of purchasing, and say they will be viewing the former NatWest bank on Portswood Road.

They are also looking for other interested groups and organisations which may like to share the responsibility and the costs of community ownership of a property.

If you are interested in sharing a premises with October Books, have any thoughts and ideas about potential new premises or can offer advice or help contact clare@octoberbooks.org.