People keen to become involved in creating the first ever co-operative bookshop and cafe in Southport are invited to a community event this evening (Thursday, 6th February 2025).
It follows last year’s shock closure of the iconic Broadhurst’s bookshop, which had been trading at 5-7 Market Street since it was opened by Charles Kenyon Broadhurst in 1920.
Broadhurst’s bookshop had been owned by Laurie Hardman, who tragically died last year after 55 years in post, starting work there in 1969.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley has been inspired by the success of a thriving co-operative bookshop and cafe in St Helens and believes that a similar venture could work well here – if enough people are eager to get involved.
He said: “Exciting News for Southport!
“I am hosting a community meeting to explore the creation of a new cooperative bookshop in the heart of our town!
“Please RSVP or learn more by contacting Patrick Hurley at patrick.hurley.mp@parliament.uk
“Following the closure of the much-loved Broadhurst’s Bookshop in August 2024, this initiative aims to carry forward Southport’s literary heritage and create a vibrant, community-driven space for book lovers.
Date: Thursday, 6th February 2025 – 6pm
Location: Southport Town Centre (RSVP for details)
“This is a fantastic opportunity to:
Discuss the plans for the bookshop
Help shape the future of our town’s high street
Get involved in a sustainable, community-led project
“Let’s work together to bring a new chapter to Southport’s high street.”
Broadhurst’s bookshop in Southport town centre stocked over a million first hand and second hand titles, leaving generations of book lovers devastated by its sudden closure.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “My background is in social enterprises and co-operatives.
“I have helped many social economy businesses in the past and I believe we have a real opportunity here in Southport.
“I spoke with colleagues recently about the closure of the Wardleworths bookshop in St Helens, which had been operating there for 40 years until its closure.
“I was interested to learn that the closure in St Helens was followed by the opening of The Book Stop.
“It is an independent bookshop serving St Helens and surrounding boroughs which is owned by the community and most importantly, exists for the benefit of the community.
“This thriving community hub is home to a coffee shop,and hosts a wide range of events, including adult and children’s reading groups, book clubs and author signings.
“I went to see them, to discover if this was something that we could set up here in Southport.
“I would love to be able to attract external funding and to use the expertise that we have here in Southport to come and run it and make it thrive.
“I will offer my full support in any way I can.
“If this bookshop idea succeeds, then it might spark interest in other social enterprises in Southport.
“Filling some of these vacant retail units in Southport with new ventures like this would be really positive for the town.
“Right now, I am looking for people to get involved. If this sounds of interest to you then please come forward.
“Whether you’re someone with experience of running a bookshop; or with a background in finance; or have a love of books; or any other skills that may be useful, let us know.
“Get in touch and we’ll have a sit down and see what we can achieve.
“Unless we try and give this a go, we will never know what we can do.”
- Are you interested in supporting a new co-operative bookshop for Southport? Please email: patrick.hurley.mp@parliament.uk
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