Battle of the Bookshops: High Street Books in New Mills
I admit, it’s been a little while since I’ve watched Location, Location, Location, but as far as I remember Kirsty and Phil have never used the phrase ‘close to local bookshops’ as a major selling point. Maybe this is why our housing market is in such a state; arriving early for a viewing of a two bed terrace in New Mills, I ducked into High Street Books, five doors down. After half an hour of browsing, I was ready to sign anything the agents handed me.
High Street Books is the kind of traditional, second hand bookshop that we sadly don’t see enough of in these days of Amazon marketplace and ebay. Wooden bookshelves groan under piles of paperbacks, boxes of new arrivals litter the floor, and any spare wall-space is covered with photographs and posters for local events. The shop-front hosts eccentrically themed window displays, and a shelf of free books greets you in the doorway.
Although the shop has a wide range of genres, with politics and poetry well represented, the highlight for me is the huge collection of classic Penguin editions. My first visit yielded beautiful copies of Slaughterhouse 5 and The Satyricon, and these have been followed by many more. Anyone looking for a more upmarket treat can head for the impressive collection of Folio editions by the till, while the shop has recently expanded to include a record section in the basement, where pale-faced indie kids can flick through rare vinyls ranging from Motown to Madchester.
And then there’s the staff. Generally found lurking on the pavement outside, cig and coffee in hand, Adam, Northe and Gareth radiate Black Books levels of professionalism, but fortunately offer a warmer welcome then you would expect from Bernard or Fran. In fact, this isn’t a shop you can get away from easily without being drawn into a long conversation. High Street Books has become a regular haunt for the dedicated group of locals who are trying to turn this neglected town into the Hebden Bridge of Derbyshire, and you will find plenty of characters stopping in for a chat throughout the day.
New Mills is probably off the beaten track for most people, but this really is one of the Peak District’s hidden gems. Combined with a trip to The Art Lounge finally the locals have a viable alternative to the traditional pastimes of rambling and hanging round outside the Spar looking surly. It’s lovely to see a traditional bookshop thriving under new ownership, and long may they continue.
What do you think?