Lions Club Charity Book Shop *updated*
Darlington Lions Club Charity Bookshop established over 40 years ago as a fundraising project. Using vacant commercial properties in the town centre they sell donated books with over 6,000 books in stock. Every penny raised in the is spent to meet every day charitable needs. These are mostly on a local basis. Volunteers man the shop six days a week.
The shop is a great resource for local people. Books are re-used and re-read rather than ending up in the bin, saving resources and energy. They also have a spectacle recycling project. This allows used glasses to be sent to those who need them instead of being put in the bin or left in a drawer.
The book shop has operated from at least ten locations. It settled on its current home in Blackwellgate Mews almost 30 years ago, where it grew from one to two shops.
To boost sales, over ten years ago the previous £1 selling price was reduced to 50p. This remained for some time, which may mean it is the longest sale ever to run in Darlington town centre! Increasing costs (mainly of utilities and rent) have meant the Lions Group have had to end the sale. Prices are now £1 a book (3 for £2), children’s books remain at 50p.
Kevin Winks, the joint chair of the bookshop committee, stated:
“Over the course of the years we have become great friends with many of our customers. Some regularly call in to view the ever changing stock and have a chat.
“Recently we moved the main shop to a new position facing out onto Blackwellgate. We can display our stock more clearly and give improved levels of customer service.
“One of our aims is helping children develop a love of reading. During the summer holidays we were able to give a free children’s book to any young families that came into the shop”.
Fellow Joint Chair Lion Fred Thompson added:
“The new shop gives us the added opportunity to promote some of the other features of the charitable work of Lions Clubs. This includes the collection and disposal of used spectacles to developing countries and the unique Lions Message in a Bottle service. This warns medics of patient issues when they may be unable to do so themselves.”
A recent addition to the great work of the shop is collecting used hearing aids. These can help someone who wouldn't otherwise be able to access them. The shop is also now collecting old foreign coins. So if you have any tucked away from your holidays, the Lions can put them to good use to fund their charity projects.
Our thanks also to President Robert Hillary for providing new signage above the bookshop.
We are open every day between 10am-4pm, closed on Sundays. Please pop in next time you are in Darlington, we would love to see you.
