This is good: for those to whom Black Friday is anathema, bookshops across the country will be offering 'Civilised Saturday' shopping on November 28th.
The theme will be taken up in various ways including providing afternoon tea, cocktails, poetry reading and storytelling, "as well as gift advice from experienced booksellers for Christmas presents".
Among the shops taking part are Book-ish of Crickhowell in Powys who are going Downton-esque; "customers will be greeted at the door by our butler and offered a glass of prosecco and canapés. A ‘book walking’ competition will be held with the winner being the person who walks furthest down the High Street using correct posture with a book on their head.”
Here in Edinburgh, The Edinburgh Bookshop staff will be wearing cocktail outfits, evening gloves, and offering customers "genteel snacks and drinks".
In Oxford, Blackwell's have the very civilised David Mitchell in attendance, while in The Bookshop, Kibworth, Leicestershire, "in the spirit of The Novel Cure: An A to Z of Literary Remedies
*see this post.
Brilliant idea!
Posted by: Philippa Kirkpatrick | 17 November 2015 at 04:55 PM
Yes, great fun!
Posted by: Cornflower | 17 November 2015 at 05:06 PM
Wonderful. I'm pleased to say that my favourite bookshop, Toppings in St. Andrews, is always civilised with sofas and tea on offer. As you know.
I'll be avoiding shopping on Black Friday.
Posted by: Claire | 18 November 2015 at 08:21 AM
That all sounds very civilised, it is a shame that they haven't included one in my locality.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 19 November 2015 at 05:26 PM
Since when did Black Friday become part of UK life? The grumpy old lady I am becoming was heightened by seeing the changed opening hours for Tesco's preparing for this 'event' Thank heavens for the sanity of bookshops. I feel like taking up residence in one from now until Dec 24th!
Posted by: Fran H-B | 24 November 2015 at 06:30 AM