Wapping Wharf will welcome independent bookshop bookhaus: to its growing community

Independent bookshop bookhaus: is joining the latest phase of Wapping Wharf, Bristol's much-loved harbourside neighbourhood.

bookhaus: will open in mid-July within a bright triple-unit on the ground floor of Hope Quay along Rope Walk, part of phase two of Wapping Wharf. The neighbourhood is already well-known for its established, eclectic array of independent shops, restaurants, cafes and more, many of which are housed in CARGO, a popular hub made of converted shipping containers.

The bookshop is owned and run by experienced booksellers Jayne Pascoe and Kevin Ramage, who moved to Bristol from Scotland in late 2019, to be closer to family in the south of England. They set up the award-winning Watermill Bookshop in Scotland as well as The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. Towards the end of last year, the duo also bought long-established Lyme Regis Bookshop in Dorset, which they gave a makeover during lockdown ready for its recent re-opening.

Kevin Ramage said: "Discovering and enjoying Bristol's beautiful harbour has been our salvation in this strange year. It didn't take us long to identify the potential of Wapping Wharf as a location for a contemporary bookshop, sitting alongside the outstanding collection of shops, food and drink outlets and other independent businesses. We are very excited at the prospect of opening as part of this vibrant community.

"Our aspiration for bookhaus: is to serve both the resident and visitor communities of the local area, putting on regular events, such as book groups, book launches and author readings. Our bookshop at Wapping Wharf will offer the very best in contemporary literature with a focus on diversity and a global outlook.  We also plan to be particularly strong in history, science and current affairs: books that address the burning questions of today's world." 

Darran McLaughlin will be the manager of bookhaus: bringing to the team a strong background in bookselling, a shared world outlook and love of books.

Stuart Hatton, managing director at Umberslade, the developer behind Wapping Wharf, said: "We are over the moon to welcome bookhaus: to the Wapping Wharf neighbourhood. Not only do Kevin, Jayne and the team bring something completely new to the area by way of a bookshop, but it has a very special community-focused approach too, chiming perfectly with our ethos for the quarter. We are very excited to be able to announce the first business to join phase two of Wapping Wharf, an important milestone and a sign of great things to come for this latest chapter in the story of the development."

bookhaus: is currently recruiting for full and part-time bookseller staff. The deadline for applications is 12 June. If you are interested, please click here.