posted on 12 Aug 2015

Mr B's Emporium of Reading Delights

Tucked away in a picturesque back street in the centre of Bath - 14-15 John Street to be exact - is the splendid Mr. B's Emporium of Reading Delights. The shop has won the the award for the Independent Bookshop of the Year twice and I would be willing to bet it will win it again at some point in the future.

The stock is good and well selected and the layout of the shop is easy to get to grips with both upstairs and on the ground floor. I wouldn't say that the stock is startlingly different to other independents but it is all well presented and logically set out. What lifts this shop above others however is the quite delightful, almost cozy atmosphere they have created. The staff are, in my experience, knowledgeable about their stock and very friendly and welcoming. When you buy something they are happy to talk with you about your choice and to ensure you leave feeling you've invested well.

When you are next in Bath you shouldn't leave without paying them a visit and I would even say that, along with Bath's other great bookshops, it's worth making a visit specially to pay them a call. Just a note of warning: to get to Mr B's you will have to pass a truly fabulous artisan cheese shop which may easily waylay you, so be careful not to spend all your book money on Parmisan.

 

Terry Potter

August 2015