Frome’s independent bookshop, Hunting Raven Books, is changing hands as the owners for the past 16 years sell up and retire.
John and Caroline Birkett-Smith, who took over the shop in 2000, are now handing over to Wayne Winstone, of Winstone Books.
Winstone Books has two bookshops, in Sherborne and Sidmouth and was this year crowned Independent Bookseller of the Year in the British Book Industry Awards.
John Birkett-Smith said, “We would like to thank all our customers for their enthusiastic support over the last 16 years. We have had a marvellous time and are delighted that the shop will be in a safe pair of hands.”
Caroline added, “We are very excited at this new phase of the Hunting Raven story and we wish Wayne every success.”
Wayne has been in the trade for 25 years and was previously a director of Ottakar’s and Waterstones.
He says, “Hunting Raven has such a great tradition in bookselling and I am thrilled to be working with the experienced team, meeting new customers and carrying on the tradition.
“Winstone’s puts community bookselling at the heart of its proposition and has a particular focus on children’s books and supporting local writers.”
