Photos by Elizabeth Perry

Summertown has been without its own book shop since 2018 when the Book House, on South Parade, closed its doors after nearly 40 years of service. Sadly the impact of Kindle and Amazon proved a fatal blow for this much loved establishment. How will Daunt, which opened to the public on August 1 this year survive, where the Book House failed?

When the first Daunt bookshop opened in Marylebone in 1990 it was a specialist travel book shop. There are now several branches - Summertown being the most recent. The travel and place-specific theme still informs the layout of every Daunt bookshop. “Opening this summer when people have had difficulties with their holiday plans has been timely for a bookshop with a travel theme,” reflects Elizabeth Perry, the shop’s manager. “Customers that would have been looking for books to take on holiday are instead holidaying vicariously through literature.” Shelving sections are named after geographical areas and each has its own travel, fiction and nonfiction titles that correspond with that part of the world. The general fiction and non-fiction section at the front of the shop includes new and topical titles and meets the discerning standards of Oxford's academics and students.

On the opening weekend the welcome from locals was ‘wonderfully enthusiastic.’ A shuffling queue throughout the day was a testament to how much locals longed to browse and buy in their own neighbourhood.

The geographically specific theme that threads through Daunt’s wares brings with it a thorough representation of books of local interest. Local authors and landmarks are well covered and there is an impressive selection of guide books to travel destinations within the United Kingdom.

Double-fronted, the spacious shop is currently organised to be, foremost, safe for browsing. When social distancing ends more books and more seating will be brought in. Dogs are welcome.

Public events will be introduced when restrictions recede. Plans include launches, readings by authors and story-telling from the extensive range of children’s books presented by booksellers. Elizabeth hopes there will be an anniversary event in August 2021 to make up for the rather stealthy opening this summer. “Right now we are preparing for ‘Super Thursday’ on October 1st, an annual event in the bookselling world when more books are launched than any other time of the year. These are ‘challenging times’ for any retail business,” observes Elizabeth.

The Daunt website offers online innovations such as a subscription club. The booksellers realise that online bookselling can be soulless and the human touch is a vital part of browsing for books. "Staff are knowledgeable and enthusiastic and most books ordered are normally received by the next day. Our loyalty scheme is cardless - we do all the remembering.” Elizabeth explains “You only have to remember your name to earn a £5 voucher for every £100 spent!”

The Banbury Road location in the middle of Summertown benefits from 30-minute free street parking outside its door, and should that be full, a large paid car park very nearby; while Marks & Spencer and the wine shop opposite are excellent lures for the book-buying public.

Elizabeth is optimistic. ‘I have heard from many customers about the sad loss of the beloved Book House. I feel that Daunt’s arrival is very appreciated and in good time to meet local interest in independent bookselling”. How lucky we are that Daunt is undaunted!

Written by Sophie Duncan