Case Study

Community Bookshop, Crediton

Crediton Community Bookshop is the only independent community-owned bookshop in the Mid-Devon and Exeter area. It is an example of when faced with an important part of a communities heritage being closed, how a collection of interested and concerned local people can turn an idea in to reality.

Crediton Community Bookshop is the only independent community-owned Bookshop in the Mid Devon and Exeter area. It is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority as a society for the benefit of the community and is owned by almost 300 holders of £20 shares. It is managed by a voluntary committee, employs two part-time booksellers and has 20 volunteers.

In 2012, the founder of the bookshop decided to sell. A committee of 14 people formed to explore the idea of making it a social enterprise. Would the community support the idea? Could sufficient money be raised to buy the business? If they could, would people buy enough books?

Find out if the bookshop was a success.