A new cafe, bookshop and events space is set to open at the top of King Street, in a bid to ‘tackle the loneliness crisis in the UK’. Called House of Books & Friends, it will encourage people to come and meet and ‘make connections with their community.
It’s an initiative that’s been founded by the law firm gunnercooke, as part of its charity arm. It aims to get both customers and businesses to donate books in a ‘pay-it-forward’ scheme, and will be among a number of similar charity businesses to be launched across the country.
“Bookshops are the centre of communities and can provide a much-needed service that improves people’s lives, focusing on all the challenges that exist,” said Darryl Cooke, chairman of the gunnercooke foundation.
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“Reading can connect us physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. When we read, we are not alone. Our bookshops will not only sell books but offer a space to create activities that will bond communities, from reading clubs to walking groups to wine societies.
“Our focus will be to connect all the charities we work with and, at the heart, to develop a culture of connection that will combat loneliness. We are searching for a bookseller who will bring necessary expertise and passion to our dream and who will work alongside us and the many charities that we work with to bring our dream to fruition.”
The book shop, cafe and social hub will be housed in The Manchester Club building, owned by developers Bruntwood. The Grade II-listed building, which curves around to Spring Gardens, has the Grand Pacific bar and restaurant on the first floor, on the site of Manchester’s old Reform Club.
The building, designed by architect Edward Salomons, was a club for liberal politicians, and was opened by then Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone in 1871. Winston Churchill and Lloyd George were among the politicians who spoke from its famous balcony.
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