AN independent bookshop for children and adults has opened in Skipton.

The Little Bookshop started in Chapel Allerton, in Leeds, six years ago.

After building up a customer base there the founders, three mums - Cheryl Duffield, Hannah Limming and Lou Fenton - decided that they would love to open a second shop and felt Skipton seemed the perfect spot for it.

They felt that despite the country going through a pandemic and then being hit with a cost of living crisis, people still wanted to read. They said that, in fact, the lock-downs had reminded lots of people of the joy of a good book.

Cheryl noted there has recently been a resurgence of new independent bookshops opening in the UK. She said: "Bookshops are such lovely shops to be in. We really want our space to feel inviting and welcoming to the community. What sets an independent bookshop apart from other places you can buy books from such as on-line or supermarkets, is that we booksellers love reading and love to recommend books.

"We are happy for customers to spend as long as they wish browsing our bookshelves, and if they need help to choose their next read, or to buy a gift for someone, we are very happy to help. I love to have a chat to my customers and have met so many interesting people already in Skipton.

"The Little Bookshop opened in Skipton at the beginning of the month and the response has been amazing. I’ve had so many customers say how lovely it is to have a proper bookshop in Skipton that sells new books. Our customers love the Oxfam bookshop and Keoghs Books, of course, but it is also great for the residents of Skipton and surrounding areas to have a shop to buy new books."

Cheryl added that they can order all books that are in print in the UK and have them in the shop in a day or two from ordering.

The Little Bookshop is currently open Monday to Saturday, but will be open seven days a week from December.

There are books for all ages from ages 0 to 99. The shop is also running a story time term-time on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11am. No need to book.

The shop is located in Craven Court Shopping Centre.