A second-hand book shop in Hampton has been saved after an appeal for customers in the Richmond & Twickenham Times earlier this year.
The Book Shop, in Ashley Road, sits adjacent to Hampton station and has served the town for more than 50 years.
Falling trade forced the store into decline but volunteers and customers have rallied to give the small shop a lifeline.
Owner Joy McKie, 84, said: “Takings were down to about £90 each week but since the article appeared in the paper, it’s gone up to about £170.
“The word has got around - use it or lose it. We now even have enough volunteers to open on a Wednesday afternoon which we never did before.”
She cites increasing rents and the rise of the Kindle for declining interest in the second-hand book shop, which donates profits to charities such as Princess Alice Hospice, Teddington Memorial Hospital, Shooting Star Children’s Hospice and Guidedogs, among others.
For many years the shop was leased to WH Smith by South West Trains and daily papers were served through a hatch.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here