Barter Books
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Barter Books is a second-hand bookshop located in the historic English market town of Alnwick, Northumberland. It has over 200,000 visitors a year, 40% of whom are from outside the area, and is one of the largest second-hand bookstores in Europe.[1] It is considered a local tourist attraction[2] [3] and has been described as "the British Library of second-hand bookshops."[4]
The building itself is a railway station from the Victorian era, designed by William Bell and opened in 1887.[5] It was in use until the closure of the Alnwick branch line in 1968. [6] Barter Books was opened in 1991.
The shop is notable for its use of a barter system, whereby customers can exchange their books for credit against future purchases. Standard cash purchases are also available.
Barter Books has also been subject to crime on occasions. On the 3rd May 2007, a local newspaper, the Northumberland Gazette, reported that a book worth over £2,000 was returned to the book shop 5 years after it was stolen. [7] It has also been subject to a scam which allowed thieves to take £200 in cash. However, the crime was dealt with in court. [8]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- The Barter Books website
- Shop history and general information
- The Aln Valley Railway Society
- Daily Telegraph article about the shop
[edit] References
- ^ Town map leaves tourists in the dark - Northumberland Today
- ^ Accommodation in Britain, hotels, hostel, campus, self-catering, apartments : VisitBritain
- ^ Alnwick - Tourism - England - Discover UK - About The UK - China
- ^ Benton, A M: England by the Book: A Guide to the Best Bookstores and Libraries
- ^ Aln Valley Railway and Society @ railways-of-britain.com
- ^ Alnwick Branch
- ^ Happy ending for stolen rare book - Northumberland Today
- ^ Cash scam warning to traders - Northumberland Today
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