0Judy Brook, Charlotte Vaughan and Deborah Texeira, Kenilworth Books
“It feels like the bookshop found us,” says Judy, owner of Kenilworth Books in the centre of the Warwickshire town. The shop is 56 years old, but Judy saw it was for sale ten years ago by chance online and thought it was too good an opportunity to miss. Bookshop manager, Charlotte, wanted some real-world experience after a Literature MA and began as a volunteer five years ago, while Deborah came across the bookshop when they held a pop-up shop at the school where she was assistant head. After leaving teaching she too started volunteering and is now full time, focusing on children’s books and schools.
“We are underpinned by the community aspect, it’s what makes us an indie,’ Judy feels. “We hold regular Saturday Signings, often with local authors so they can showcase their work. We have a book bench and community piano just outside the shop, and have a strong involvement with the community gardens around the town. We stock a wide range of cards by local artists and photographers and books by local authors, poets, and historians, which is another thing that makes us unique. Families enjoy our welcoming children’s corner where they can read stories, ask for recommendations, chat, and play. We hold events in various local venues and collaborate on events with Kenilworth Arts Festival, Shipston Book Festival, Stratford Literary Festival and Warwick Arts Centre”
Since Deborah arrived at the bookshop over two years ago their links with local schools have risen from ten to over forty. 
“We do a lot of author and illustrator events at schools with publishers,” she says, “We hold pop-up book fairs and make recommendations for school curriculum topics and libraries which helps us build great relationships and is also good for business.” She also runs parent workshops on reading for pleasure, and collaborates with The University of Warwick to hold large multi school events. “We are often able to tempt authors like Cressida Cowell and Liz Pichon back for a bookshop party with the promise of cake. Parents and children love being able to meet big name authors and have their books signed.”
Charlotte runs a book group which began in lockdown as a passion project and is now flourishing. “It’s grown to a point where we often invite authors in to join the discussion, making our book group a little different! We have a book group for schools too, and our colleague Eleanor runs a YA group.” The shop is also known for its Beautiful Books section. “We love to recommend these for gifts and we all have our favourites. There is a big difference between downloading books online and opening a physical book – reading and sharing a real book is a special experience.” Charlotte believes the shop’s welcoming approach has attracted new customers, such as a growing number of new mothers with their little ones.
“Being connected with the community is a massive part of why it works,” Judy says. “People come in to chat, they might not necessarily buy a book. Or people ask us where to find something locally – and then tell us, ‘You don’t get this on Amazon!’. But the good thing is, from a business point of view, it works both ways – they’ll come back.”
~ Interview from the Bookselling & The BA 2025 Annual Review
Judy Brook, Owner & Director of Kenilworth Books – Charlotte Vaughan, Manager of Kenilworth Books – Deborah Texeira, Children’s Bookseller & Schools Coordinator