About Us
-
Erin, Hunter, and Jay are three friends who have known each other many years. After years working in the book industry in varying roles, we opened The Folkestone Bookshop in October 2022. Since then we have tripled our stock and hosted over 100 events!
Check out more about the team below by scrolling down.
-
We curate our books to reflect our values and our commitment to own-voices, diversity-led publishing, and independent presses.
We do not tolerate: racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, classism, antisemitism, ageism, fatphobia, adultism. We believe in restorative justice and practice mutual aid.
We are committed to accessibility - you can check out our accessibility page for details on how accessible the physical space is.
We have been privileged through education and community to have been taught these words and concepts. If you would like to know what any of these words mean, please ask us so we can share resources and knowledge with you.
-
We have a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, as well as a fantastic selection of kids’ books. We also stock secondhand books that are priced from 50p each, covering antique editions right up to modern releases.
Our reading room is full of books that are free to read and treat as your own. Help yourself to refreshments and stay as long as you like.
We have a pay-it-forward board for community members to utilise or donate to as they feel able.
The bookshop is a space to read, gather, rest, explore, play, and exist as you are. Your needs, state of mind or experiences will not be assumed here.
-
We adore our seaside town; if you are visiting and would like recommendations, we have a long list of other independent businesses we love to support.
You can get speciality coffee from either end of our street and bring it into the shop, you can enjoy a drink at the pub opposite or delicious food at any of the restaurants along Tontine Street. Support local!
Our Team
-
Erin
Erin is the one with the Canadian accent but who is actually Irish. Erin can recommend you a book based on your star sign and remember incredible details from every book they’ve ever read.
Erin’s favourite genre is literary fiction and wishes they could read Sorry to Disrupt the Peace again for the first time.
Erin has been a youth support worker and wants to breakdown adultism - Erin runs various workshops for teens and kids, including our regular storytimes.
-
Hunter
Hunter is the one with the long hair who plays roller derby. They have an amazing memory and loves pop culture so can recommend you a book based on your favourite celebrity gossip.
Their favourite genre is lit-fic and they wish they could read Hello Beautiful again for the first time.
Hunter worked in publishing for over a decade and is passionate about demystifying the industry, if you’re a writer, then check out their seminars.
-
Jay
Jay is the one with glasses who is always carrying a set of handy tools. They are at one with nature and can recommend you a book based on what your favourite plant.
Their favourite genre is nature writing and they wish they could read The Freezer Door again for the first time.
Jay uses their creativity to make beautiful art and runs paper-cutting workshops to share their talent with others, check out their workshops to have a go yourself.
-
Lin
Lin is our talented Swedish nail artist and graphic designer with an amazing creative eye. Her favourite genre is memoir and they wish they could re-read Love the World Or Get Killed Trying for the first time.
Check out Lin’s nail sets and lino prints in-store.
-
Amy
Amy is our crafty queen who can turn her hand to any handicraft she wants. Her favourite genre is horror and she wishes she could re-read Frankenstein for the first time.
Check out Amy’s handmade bookish themed keyrings and earrings in-store.
-
Kilo
Kilo is our CEO. He is far too busy and important to spend his time on the shop floor, preferring to wander the seaside getting inspiration from the many smells there.
His favourite book is The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Canine Doyle. His worst habit is dog-earing the pages as he reads.
“Give a gift, in reciprocity for what you have taken. Sustain the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.”
“Access is complex. It is more than just having a ramp or getting disabled folks/crips into the meeting. Access is a constant process that doesn’t stop. It is hard and even when you have help, it can be impossible to figure out alone.”