Southampton’s first Community Share Offer

October Books, Southampton’s independent community bookshop launched their Community Share offer on the 1st October. The bookshop bought its own premises in Portswood, Southampton, with the help of their local community back in 2018 when over £300,000 was raised. Not having to pay rent to a distant landlord has meant the business has been more resilient to the financial pressures of the pandemic and the business has seen an increase in sales over the last couple of years.

‘The Community Share offer really brings the economic power back to the local community and makes the business more able to cope with uncertainty’ said Clare Diaper, the strategic lead at the bookshop. ‘We recognise that this is a difficult time for many in our community and we want to be able to continue to support people through this current crisis and beyond’

October Books was supported by Action Hampshire in 2020, when Clare took part in the Community Business Trade Up programme. They received matched funding of £10000 which was a great boost during a time of great uncertainty. ‘The CBTU programme was an incredible opportunity to connect and create with other community business around Hampshire’ said Clare ‘it was a real lifeline for us at the start of the pandemic and allowed us to maintain our existing services to our community and 

If you would like to invest and become part of the October Books community and support a more local economy please click this link for their Crowdfunder campaign.

 

What October Books can Offer…

October Books also currently have an affordable Community Space for hire in Southampton seven days a week, daytime and evenings! Community groups, societies, local businesses and individuals are welcome to hire the spaces for a range of purposes including meetings, events, classes, therapeutic sessions,121 sessions or just a quiet space to work. Freelancers are welcome to book as a group and create a pop up co-work space.

 
With five different options, this flexible space in the heart of Portswood highstreet is suited to all. Capacities are dependent on the layout of the room, but approximates are listed below.
 
Small area of community space – up to 10 people
 
Large area of community space – up to 30 people
 
Whole area of community space – up to 50 people
 
Shop floor – up to 30 people
 
You also have access to the following equipment.
· Fully functional kitchen area in Community Space
Chairs: Assortment of 37 chairs
· Tables: 7 small round tables (3 seated comfortably), 2 large folding tables (4 seated),
· 3 Flip Chart Stands
· 1 white board
· 1 Projector and Projector Screen
· Disable Access Toilet
 
For more information and to find out hire rates please click this link.
 

Facebook: OctoberBooksSouthamtpon

Twitter: OctoberBooks

Instagram: october.books

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