Community update — survey now closed
Thank you to everyone who took part in our community bookshop survey. Your feedback has been incredibly helpful and is shaping what we do next. You can read an overview of the responses here: https://theovalbandstand.co.uk/community-bookshop-survey
A New Chapter for Cliftonville
At GRASS Cliftonville CIC, we’re always looking for ways to make The Oval Bandstand & Lawns a thriving cultural space for the community. Now, we’re exploring something special, a community-run bookshop, and we need your help to make it happen!
Why a Community Bookshop?
Imagine a bookshop shaped by the community, a place where books bring people together, where local authors are celebrated, and where cultural events inspire creativity. This isn’t just about selling books; it’s about creating a space for literature, learning, and connection.
What Could the Community Bookshop Offer?
- A curated selection of new and second-hand books for all ages
- Therapeutic reading initiatives, supporting wellbeing through book clubs and workshops
- A platform for local authors and independent publishers, featuring book launches and writing events
- Creative workshops and classes, from poetry to storytelling
- Children’s story hours and literacy activities, encouraging young readers
- A community hub, providing information on local events and initiatives
- Book exchange and donation programmes, making literature accessible to all
What Will the Bookshop Look Like?
The Oval Bookshop will be housed in a beautifully designed timber-clad shipping container, custom-built to create a warm, welcoming, and comfortable environment. A curated selection of books will be displayed on shelving, leaving plenty of space to browse. The shop will have mains power, with access to The Oval Pavilion’s nearby facilities, including toilets and a cafe with indoor seating.
How Can You Get Involved?
The Oval Bookshop is being developed and delivered by GRASS Cliftonville CIC as a not-for-profit community project — but the goal has always been for it to belong to the community.
In the short term, we’re looking for dedicated people to help setup a Friends of The Oval Bookshop group — a network of local people who care about books, culture, and community. The Friends will help shape the direction of the bookshop, contribute ideas, and get involved in events and volunteering opportunities.
Looking ahead, GRASS hopes that once the bookshop is successfully established, it will transition to a Community Benefit Society (CBS) model, allowing local people to become members and co-owners, ensuring that the bookshop remains truly community-led for years to come.
Together, let’s turn a new page for Cliftonville and create a community bookshop that belongs to all of us!