October Books, an independent bookshop and co-operative in Southampton, England, was gearing up for a remarkable November. The weekend marked the grand opening of its new location down the street from the original storefront, where it operated for 15 years before rising costs forced a relocation. However, before the excitement of the grand opening could take center stage, the staff had to tackle a challenging dilemma: devising a strategy to successfully relocate their entire stock to the fresh venue.
As reported by Kevin Rawlinson for the Guardian, they had reached out to the community, and the response was remarkable. The following Sunday, approximately 250 people joined forces to create a human chain stretching between October Books’ previous and new locations. They passed over 2,000 books along this chain, effectively clearing out an entire stock.
Established in 1997, October Books identifies itself as “a non-profit co-operative radical neighborhood bookshop” that transcends its traditional role. In addition to books, the store offers organic food and fair trade products, and it serves as a venue for various events, including hosting a Southampton radical reading group.
In the preceding year, confronted with escalating rents, the co-op members initiated a quest for a new space that could serve as October Books’ future home. Their search led them to a former bank situated roughly 500 feet down the road, available for acquisition.
As Amy B. Wang of the Washington Post outlines, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding the homeless collaborated with them on securing the new property. Despite this promising development, the shop still required £510,000 (approximately $650,000) in repayable loans and donations to seal the deal. In their call for support, co-op members sought assistance, and by August, they announced that their target had been met. As per Rawlinson, they successfully gathered £487,800 (roughly $635,000).
When the time came to move, the community demonstrated equal willingness to assist in the unique and creative method devised by October Books to transport books from its old stockroom to the new one: a human chain.
“We wanted something that was accessible for the whole family, for children and people who were older who wouldn’t necessarily be able to paint or move heavy pieces, to help out. It was a lovely way of including everyone and get the whole community involved.” Jess Haynes, one of the bookshop’s workers, told the New York Times.
The shop mentioned in its announcement that approximately 150 people would be required to lend a (literal) hand. Surprisingly, around a hundred more volunteers showed up, efficiently completing the job in just an hour.
“It was a tremendous show of support and community and we’re moved and incredibly touched by it,” co-op member Clare Diaper spoke to Rawlinson. “We are of, and for, our community and it is truly heartening to see that reciprocated.”