134 Regents Park Road
Primrose Hill
London
NW1 8XL
020 7586 2022
www.primrosehillbooks.com
phbooks@btconnect.com
Who: Jessica Graham and her husband Marek
“Owning a bookshop has always been my dream. After finishing an English degree at York and a Masters in Victorian Studies, I worked in an antiquarian shop in Bloomsbury, which was owned by the same people who also owned this shop. I spent one day a week in Primrose Hill and immediately fell in love with it. When they decided to sell, I bought it – and that was now nearly 20 years ago. It transpired that my grandmother used to live in Primrose Hill in the 1930s and it seemed auspicious to come here. I also met my husband through the shop when he was a customer!
The main focus of the shop is new books, although we do have a second-hand section. This used to be downstairs in the basement, but since having the children I have closed this and mainly sell the second-hand books on the internet to an international, mostly academic, market. I try and choose the best and most interesting new books from the huge number published, so that people don’t have to look through too much and I also know the neighbourhood well so the book selection reflects the high percentage of local writers, musicians, actors and film makers. It is a creative area and my main clientele are the people who live and work here, all of whom are tremendously loyal so there is a strong sense of community. People really make an effort to support local businesses. I inherited account customers with the bookshop many of whom remain customers. I know many of the people who come in very well and hope to provide advice and personal recommendations as well as local knowledge.
We produce a catalogue in summer and winter, which we distribute to the local area. This has personal recommendations of good reads and is not influenced by the publishers. We also run events, although because we now have young children we do not have any lined up for the spring. We hold them in the Primrose Hill Community Centre or the Cecil Sharp House and they are popular local events. In the past we've had Ian McEwan, Martin Amis, Claire Tomalin and Umberto Eco as speakers. We also hold events where authors can come in and sign their work.”
What: Primrose Hill Books is a charming, independent bookshop full of well-chosen, interesting books. Jessica can provide personal recommendations and is very knowledgeable about her stock. When I visited I was looking for fiction about Morocco and she was able to provide me with two or three different choices immediately. Jessica is also able to order any book that is in print in the UK or the US, most of which arrive the next day. There is also a selection of books about the local area and a thriving children’s section, which, as Jessica has two children of her own, is as well selected as any other area. Indeed, for this reason, the shop is also very family friendly.
Why: For presents or for your own reading desires, this is the place to visit if knowledgeable staff and personal recommendation are important to you. Whether you have something specific in mind, or are simply looking for some holiday reading, you are guaranteed to find it at Primrose Hill Books. Also for sale are greetings cards and cards featuring the local area. A must-do for a visit to Primrose Hill, you are unlikely to leave empty handed.
Where: Nearest tube is Chalk Farm. Turn right out of the tube and then cross over the bridge. Walk straight ahead onto Regents Park Road and follow the road round. Primrose Hill Books is on the left hand side just before you get to the park and has a blue shop front.
When: Monday-Friday 9.30am–6pm; Saturday 10am–6pm; Sunday 11am–5pm.
