Friends of The Oval Bookshop

The Vision

The Oval Bookshop is a new community-focused bookshop being created at The Oval Bandstand & Lawns in Cliftonville by GRASS Cliftonville CIC, a not-for-profit social enterprise.

The aim is to create a warm, welcoming space that brings people together through books, reading, creativity, and wellbeing.

It’s not just a shop — it’s a community hub where people can discover great reads, take part in workshops and events, and celebrate local writing and culture.

The Location

The bookshop will be located within The Oval’s historic sunken amphitheatre, in one of the new timber-clad shipping containers being installed as part of GRASS’s regeneration project.

It will sit alongside other community-focused businesses and cultural spaces, including the new café, events bar, food concessions, covered seating areas, and the bandstand performance space.

Key details:

• Planning permission was granted in September 2024.

• The bookshop container will be installed in early 2026.

• The target opening date is Spring/Summer 2026.

• The shop will initially operate under GRASS’s management and share site-wide utilities and maintenance.

What the Bookshop Will Offer

The Oval Bookshop will be small (around 3,500 books) but full of life, featuring:

• A curated selection of new and second-hand books for all ages and interests.

• Therapeutic reading and wellbeing initiatives such as book clubs and workshops.

• Events featuring local authors, independent publishers, and creative writing groups.

• Storytelling and creative sessions for children and adults.

• A hub for local cultural information, volunteering, and community activities.

The vision is for it to become a little cultural heart within The Oval — somewhere to browse, chat, attend a reading, or simply enjoy the space.

How It Will Operate

The Oval Bookshop will be run by GRASS Cliftonville CIC as a not-for-profit community project.

It will operate under GRASS’s insurance and governance policies, with all income reinvested into maintaining and developing The Oval as a community events venue.

The long-term goal is for the bookshop to become fully owned and operated by the community once it is well established.

The Community Benefit Society Plan

Earlier in 2025, GRASS began forming a Community Benefit Society (CBS) to own and operate the bookshop on behalf of the community.

A Board of seven founding members was recruited, and GRASS worked with Co-operatives UK on a business plan and funding application.

However, in October 2025, it became clear the CBS Board could not commit the time and capacity required to continue, with some members choosing to remain involved in an advisory capacity through a Friends of group instead.

Forming a CBS involves extensive work — registering with the FCA, managing finances, applying for grants, developing and promoting a share offer, and coordinating the build and operations. The CBS formation has therefore been put on hold, but GRASS hopes to revisit it once the bookshop is open.

The Current Plan

GRASS Cliftonville CIC will now:

• Fund, design, and deliver the bookshop as part of The Oval’s wider regeneration.

• Launch the bookshop in Spring/Summer 2026 as a community project managed by GRASS Cliftonville CIC.

• Increase community involvement over time through the Friends group, with the aim of transitioning to a CBS or similar community-owned structure in future.

The Friends of The Oval Bookshop Group

The Friends group ensures the community remains at the heart of the bookshop’s development.

The Friends will:

• Act as ambassadors for the bookshop in the community.

• Contribute ideas for events, programming, and design.

• Support and help deliver author talks, creative workshops, and reading groups.

• Fundraise or seek donations for special projects or new stock.

• Promote the bookshop through local networks.

• Provide feedback to GRASS on what local people would like to see.

The Friends group will also decide how it wishes to operate. It could become a fully constituted community group with a small committee and its own bank account, allowing it to apply for funding to support activities and events. Alternatively, it may choose to remain an informal network, simply sharing ideas, feedback, and helping to connect the community with GRASS Cliftonville CIC. A third option could be a project-based working group that meets occasionally to focus on specific areas such as events, volunteering, or fundraising.

GRASS retains legal and financial responsibility for the bookshop, but the Friends group plays a vital advisory role in shaping its direction and community impact.

How You Can Help

The Friends group can help by:

• Connecting GRASS with local authors, artists, and volunteers.

• Suggesting event ideas, partnerships, and outreach activities.

• Offering occasional practical help during the build and setup phase in 2025.

• Volunteering once the bookshop is operational.

In Summary

The Oval Bookshop will be:

• Located within The Oval Bandstand & Lawns amphitheatre

• Run by GRASS Cliftonville CIC as a not-for-profit community project

• Opening in Spring/Summer 2026

• Supported by The Friends of The Oval Bookshop with a long-term ambition to transition to community ownership through a CBS

The Friends of The Oval Bookshop will ensure that local voices, creativity, and ideas remain at the heart of the project — helping create a bookshop that truly belongs to everyone in Cliftonville.