Pritchard's Bookshop is about to uproot and move to a brand new unit to help cater to its loyal customers.
The Moor Lane, Crosby, bookstore has been around since 1975 with its founder Steve Pritchard at the helm. The store has fought off everything from the pandemic lockdown to fierce competition from retailers such as Amazon, but in 2021, Steve decided to call it a day on his lifelong business and retire.
On the hunt for a fellow book lover he could pass his store on to, he searched far and wide for a suitable candidate that could also ensure there was longevity for Pritchard's.
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Amy Wright, 39, is the store's current owner and the only person Steve thought highly enough of to continue his legacy. Pritchard's has continued to go from strength to strength, with it moving into a brand new unit in just a few weeks, but it fell into Amy's lap after a lucky sighting.
She told the Echo: "My husband and I saw the sign in the shop and basically just went for it. Steve was keen for it to be somebody local who knew the shop. He always wanted someone with a love for books and knowledge but not run it as just a passion project, it would need to remain as a solid business."
Amy previously worked in call centres, at Debenhams and acted as an assistant buyer but after falling pregnant, shortly followed by the coronavirus pandemic, she found herself "giving up" work and becoming a full-time mother.
The kids grew up and made their way to school which left the mum-of-two driven and ready to hop back into regular work life. She said: "I knew I wanted to get back out there. I worked in social media for a bit but when we saw the sign advertising Pritchard's I sent an email and hoped for the best."
"The process took place over a few weeks and months because I wanted to know the background of the business and Steve wanted it to fall into good hands." The former owner found the perfect candidate in Amy to continue his legacy which she admits still feels odd even today.
"I didn't know him personally at the time but I knew of him by going into the shop. I used to go in as a kid and I brought my children in too and it felt right to try and take it on." After wittling down his potential candidates, Steve decided Amy was the best fit to own his store.
She added: "I didn't believe it and it seems surreal now to say I own a bookshop. It's been a dream and a cliche to say but I never thought it would happen as I never put anything in place or had the time to start one from scratch. The fact this was already well established with loyal customers meant there was already a lot of footfall coming in and I had to jump right into it.
"We had a brilliant staff at the time so we kept all of them and I was able to slot into their routine more than me coming in and changing everything. Steve did a really long handover for us too, helping with all the things you don't necessarily know as someone in retail but need to as an owner. He's been brilliant."
Pritchard's Bookshop is set for a new adventure as it moves to a brand new unit a few doors down to help accommodate more events, signings, clubs and gatherings.
Amy said: "I always wanted to do more with it. You look around and see other shops they're doing these events every week and have book clubs or people coming to do classes so I want to be able to have the space to do it. We can invite local school kids in, and sell more book-related products and ranges too.
"It's been brilliant and a whirlwind. Every day is different - new books, new things to do, authors to meet. No one day is the same. Steve still pops in and he's excited about the move. He came and saw the premises with us as we wanted his blessing. He's as excited as we are because that's his baby."
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