There is nothing but praise for a secret and tucked away book shop in Arnold. After less than a year of trading, the owner of the shop has explained how the store is more than just about making money transactions.
BUK stands in Calverton Road, Arnold. Inside, as well as books, there are cards, mugs and totes and coffees for sale, supplied by local independent businesses.
Shoppers who have previously visited the shop have said customer service there is ‘gold.’ Tim Beeden took a leap of faith setting up his new bookshop, which opened in August 2022 and now, things are going better than he expected.
Is the government doing enough to help with the cost of living? Let us know
Tim has 3 book clubs in different locations, collaborates with local schools, has authors drop by to do talks at the shop and on June 20 at 7.30pm, BUK is holding a book festival at Bonington Theatre where there will be award-winning authors.
Tim said: “Setting up this shop was never going to be easy but the location has proved a bonus; people don’t have to go into town to grab a book and I get many coming in on their way back home to come in and have a look.
“A lot of people just come in for a chat too. Last week, there was a lady who came in and she said I was the first person she had spoken to all week. It’s super cliche but it’s more than a transaction, people come in to talk about books or life, BUK isn’t just a place that takes money.”
“Sometimes people do expect cheaper books and I hope people are still using libraries and I know how hard it has been with the cost of living but I try my best to help others understand our prices. Overall, it’s [BUK] done better than I expected.”
The average cost of a paperback book is £8.99-£9.99 at BUK. Tim, who once was a teacher, says he ‘misses the good parts of teaching’ and hopes to do more with local schools. With a children's reading corner inside, there are dozens of genres on the shelves in the shop.
Tim added: “It’s hard for many independent businesses right now but in Arnold, local businesses support one another, I use the corner shop across the road and one of my book clubs is at the Robin Hood.”
Shoppers in Arnold are familiar with BUK. Angela Lee, 59 is a support worker. She said: “It’s a fantastic shop, I’ve been there a few times but I live in the opposite direction.
“The service there is gold, a really intimate little place that’s colourful. When they first opened, I hoped they’d do well.”
Holly James, 22. lives in Arnold and is a student. Holly said: “I love books, the ASDA in Arnold has a small selection of books and of course there’s WH Smith but people in the area shop independently. I go to uni in London and had no idea there was a bookshop on Calverton Road so I’ll have to pay them a visit.”
Holly added: “With independents, each visit is always different compared to going into big chains.”
Daniel Harris, 31 lives in Sherwood. He said: “I’ve been there before [BUK] I picked up some children’s books and had a browse. It’s small but they have a lot of stock and they don’t just sell books, I remember when it opened.”
READ NEXT:
- Anger over Nottinghamshire park that is not 'well-maintained' - but locals still have to pay for
- Mum scarred for life after 'violent' crash on smart motorway
- Nottingham independent food store in popular city centre location 'closing down'
- 'Dangerous runaway' lorry driver fails to stop in dramatic A1 police chase
