A manic few weeks for The Big Comfy Bookshop

Trying to open a shop is hard, but when it comes together it feels fantastic. I'm not jumping the gun just yet but the premises I have lined up is fantastic, flexible and in the ideal location. But let me say this. It is not in Nuneaton.

Nuneaton

I've spent the best part of 9 months trying to start in Nuneaton to no avail. I've covered why in this blog here so I won't bore you with other reasons. I'm not announcing just yet where the shop will be until the lease is signed.

Last week though all the good vibes evaporated as I was burgled. I currently run The Big Comfy Bookshop from my house and so my day-to-day job involves cataloging books, writing blogs, doing social media stuff and generally spending 6-8 hours a day on my laptop. Last Monday though whilst I was out some ####ers smashed my kitchen window and stole my laptop and camera. A lot of the bookshop is backed up but some isn't, so this week will be damage limitations. The kick in the teeth though is that every photo of my 18 month old from the day he was born was on the laptop, and we have no back up. Couple this with the fact my wife Heidi who works at North Warwickshire and Hinckley college, had a week of rehearsals and performances of Miss Saigon at the local arts centre so she's been out for 12 hours a day, and then 3 gigs in my band Barricades Rise in 24 hours, it has been exhausting for both of us.
The college show was superb, see some great pics by Jonathan Coates at www.jscoates.com. The band gigs went well too with a great review by Rob at Redwood photos here.

Miss Saigon performed by NW&H College. Fantastic

This week though is a new start and back on track. I'll be updating the blog more often and letting you all know my thoughts on the shop, books and more.

I've just finished Haruki Murakami's South of the Border, West of the Sun so I'll be doing a review soon. I'm currently reading Neil Gaiman's American Gods for our book club. Feel free to join either by Facebook or just let me know on this blog (comment below). I'm also dipping in and out of Down and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle.

Michael

Meeting you lot

Since the last blog I've been out and about meeting some people who have and will contribute to the shop in some way. On Saturday I ventured into Nuneaton to the Craft fair in Nuneaton United Reformed Church to meet Emily Osborne. Emily has recently founded her own craft company called Cotton Cat UK and makes all kinds of wonderful items from bunting to pens, to bags to coasters.

My coasters purchased from Cotton Cat last October

In fact that's how I came across her. In October last year I wandered around the monthly craft fair and purchased a few coasters of hers. As well as Emily, a few members of her family and friends create stuff and sell them through Cotton Cat. I urge you to check them out on Facebook and on Folksy. Her designs will be available to buy direct from The Big Comfy Bookshop once we are open! We are always looking for local crafty people to house their wares so if you create or know someone who does then get in touch via email.

Emily Osborne and her Cotton Cat UK stall at the craft fair

Secondly I've just returned from up the road, quite literally. I received a wonderful note handwritten and hand delivered through my door on Sunday signed from Earl and Dee who offered me a few of their books. "Who are Earl and Dee!?" I wondered. Well, they live 6 doors away! The note really made me reaffirm that there are hundreds or thousands of people in this town who are screaming out for a nice bookshop cafe. That's the hope anyway! Many thanks to Dee and Earl (and Jack the dog).

Finally a few weeks ago I returned to North Warwickshire & Hinckley College to see how the students are fairing on the interior design of the shop. I was astonished at how professional a lot of the work was and already it has changed my minds on certain things. I will see the final designs from them in about 3 weeks.

The lease is still in the solicitors hands so I am playing the waiting game.

Hopefully by the end of the week I'll have some news about the shop.

Michael