Location Reasearch

Hall's Bookshop
20-22 Chapel Place
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN1 1YQ

Tel: 01892 527 842
Email: info@hallsbookshop.com


Established in 1898 the bookshop has been buying and selling books for over 100 years. The bookshop was originally located next door but moved in the 1930’s. It is one of only a few antiquarian bookshops in the area. It boasts all kinds of books, and can cater for any customer. The bookshop was taken over from Mr. Hall its original owner, by Charles Avery a friend of his, it was then bought by Harry Pratley who started as an apprentice in the bookshop aged 14. He went on to sell the bookshop to Elizabeth Bateman which she ran until her death in 1983. This is when current owner Sabrina Izzard bought the shop. In 1999 Lloyds bank, who own the land that the bookshop was situated on and told the owner that they had plans to redevelop the land. However a journalist heard about the situation and started a publicity campaign which reached international levels. Locals started to move their bank accounts away from Lloyds Tonbridge Wells borough council threatened to do the same and then a television crew wanted to come to the bookshop. It was at this point that the bank relented. I feel that this is an important story as it shows how important the bookshop is to locals.

The shop relies almost entirely on local stock and the owner goes on house calls to buy books. The bookshop staff, are all part-time assistants, and most come in aged 15-16. One of the aspects that the bookshop is most famous for is its bargain 10p box out the front so I will be sure to include this in the documentary.