Ken Spelman Books has operated on Micklegate since 1948 but from next February will operate online and at fairs only.
Owner Tony Fothergill and his wife Nicki will now focus on rare and antiquarian books, rather than new books that had been the focus of the physical shop.
Fothergill said: “We now plan to emphasise the antiquarian side of the business so we will concentrate on that. For many customers who are not in York there will be no change as we will still trade online and at fairs. We are launching a new website next year which will be more efficient for customers.”
The first fair planned is the PBFA’s York one-day book event on January 15.
Fothergill continues as fair manager of the PBFA York National Book Fair which will next take place on September 9-10, 2022.
The end of an era? Ken Spelman Books in York.
Ken Spelman Books began in 1948 and when Spelman retired after around 25 years, Peter Miller took over the business. Fothergill joined in 1979 and jointly ran it with Miller until his retirement in 2012 when Fothergill and his wife took over.
