The Old School Bookshop is a newly opened second-hand bookstore located in Old Buckenham, near Attleborough. The shop is housed in the former village school building, which had also been used as the ‘Church Rooms’ community space for All Saints Church. Owned and operated by Lucie Riches, who previously ran Book Bubble selling books online and at pop-up sales, the shop specializes in second-hand contemporary fiction and non-fiction books in excellent or like-new condition. The refurbished building still retains some original school features, including the headmaster’s desk, fireplaces, and coat hooks.
The refurbishment of the building included repairing and pointing the high ceiling, sanding and restoring the wooden floor, and renovating the toilets with disabled access. The shop also stocks products from local makers, such as The Ruby Grace Candle Co and Suzanne Campbell Glass. In addition to selling books, the Old School Bookshop is also running a monthly book club, as well as wellbeing and author events, with plans for local art exhibitions in the future. Mrs. Riches aims for the bookshop to offer a retreat for readers, and so far, the reaction to the shop has been very positive, with many customers commenting on the transformation of the hall and the quality of the books available.
The Old School Bookshop is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm, with the additional opening hours for December 17 and December 24 from 10am to 2pm. They also have a website where customers can find upcoming events and more information about the shop. Mrs. Riches has fulfilled her dream of having a bricks-and-mortar bookshop and hopes to create a welcoming and environmentally-friendly shopping option for book lovers. The shop’s diverse range of events and products, as well as its emphasis on the quality of its books, make it a promising addition to the community of Old Buckenham and the surrounding area.
