News Beat
Lucius Books to relocate to historic Ken Spelman Books site
Lucius Books is currently relocating from 144 Micklegate to 70-72 Micklegate, where Ken Spelman Books used to be.
Lucius owner James Hallgate first announced plans for the move three years ago, hoping to open the expanded business in 2014.
However, it took a year to prepare for and obtain planning permission for the Grade 2-listed building that dates back to around 1500.
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There was also much work to do to it, to deliver a sensitive renovation to the highest possible standard.
James, 50, recalls having fond memories of the building as he first started collecting books there whilst a teenager.
And when Ken Spelman Books decided to become online-only, James feared York would lose one of its oldest and most respected antiquarian books from its high street.
Thus, James, who formed Lucius Books in 1993, agreed to buy the four-storey building.
With some of the building dating back to 1500, and other parts to the 17th century, the 18th Century and also most recently to 1982, there was much to do.
James told the Press: “The roof and guttering needed replacing. There was little in the way of modern conveniences such as heating, and the building needed completely rewiring.
“We were able to return several aspects of the building to the original layout, for example uncovering the original cellar stairs.
“Then it was a case of bringing the building up to modern standards of efficiency, in an environmentally conscious manner that respects its history.”
The work has taken much longer than James ever imagined but at last a start can be made on the move.
Moving the bespoke shelving from the old shop began last week, which will be fitted in the upper floors of the new. Getting the shelves installed, including new shelving, will take a couple of months due to the layout of the building.
He will be transferring the books shortly.
Lucius Books has more than 3,000 catalogued books ready for sale and another 5,000 ready to hit the shelves once the furniture is fitted.
James said: “Every book we sell has been individually selected and catalogued by one of our specialists. Building a large stock book by book is a labour of love, and some books are in our hands only for a matter of hours before they are off to a new home.”
He hopes the new venue at number 70 can open in early March but in the meantime Lucius Books is open by appointment at the old venue in the meantime.
James will also continue to catalogue and offer new stock online and at bookfairs daily.
In addition to books, James also plans events and attractions such as displaying original art and associated literary objects, “everything from original paintings by Banksy to Charles Dickens’ reading glasses! “
Now, in late May or June, York will see the arrival of the massive Topping and Company bookstore in the former tourist information centre on the corner of Museum Street and Blake Street.
This 6,000 sq ft building will have space for 75,000 books, compared to 40,000 stocked in the former Spelman building.
James says Topping and Company will need the extra space and retailers of new books have to carry multiple copies of a book, something traders in rare and collectable books do not.
And York is big enough for both for them as they will serve different markets, with him offering the most interesting ranges of antiquitarian books available, whilst they sell new.
James said: “The more bookshops the better. Historically York has supported multiple bookshops be it antiquarian, new, or charity shops, to the benefit of everyone.
“An abundance of bookshops and booksellers makes York a destination for readers, collectors and bibliophiles.
“York also hosts two internationally renowned bookfairs each year (in January and September), organised by a team made up of independent York booksellers.
James added: “High Street retail is tough at the moment with hurdles in every direction, so we need to work together just to keep the doors open.”
