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A sad surprise this month. Peter Snell, masterbeard of Barton's Bookshop in Leatherhead, Surrey, has announced he is retiring at the end of this month and the shop is closing. Truly the end of an era.
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The loss will be felt well beyond the shop's terrestrial patch. Thanks to Peter's tireless appetite for Facebook (he LOVES Facebook), a trip to Barton's was probably on the bucket list of bookish people all over the planet.
The shop has run for more than 20 years and has helped to shape numerous careers and destinies. Chat to any local journalist, artist, librarian, teacher or publishing professional and they'll probably say they once worked at Barton's on Saturdays or in the school holidays.
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You'll certainly meet many a writer who walks taller because of Peter's guidance and encouragement. He gave me my first signing - and baked his legendary gooey chocolate cake to help me woo the punters. (And he was on hand with wise advice when I decided to update the covers.)
You might remember the fun we had recording our show for Surrey Hills Radio.
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In one episode I quizzed Peter about how he keeps a bookshop alive and thriving. If you listen, you'll appreciate why he might, eventually, decide to retire. Find it here, How To Run An Independent Bookshop.
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Peter says he's looking forward to prioritising other life-things like family and travel. Several small-press publishers I know are hoping he'll still help them choose the best manuscripts in their submissions piles. Indeed, what about a book of his own? Never say never. Allow me to present this episode, Peter Writes A Story.
A great many of us have special memories of this stripy building, with its TARDIS doors, cosy hearth, green Chesterfields, thrilling underground vault (it was built as a bank). We are hatching plans for a last hurrah before the shelves empty for ever. I hope to bring pics next time.
In the meantime, I mentioned Peter LOVES Facebook. If you also love Facebook, here's where to say hello.
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