Dial LaneBooks

Dial Lane Books opened in March 2020 as Ipswich's only independent bookshop, on the short pedestrian lane between the Buttermarket and the Ancient House. Owner Andrew Marsh, who had wanted to run a bookshop since primary school, stocks a general range of fiction and non-fiction alongside a large travel section, reflecting the shop's role as a local stockist for Lonely Planet guides, and a dedicated LGBTQ+ shelf. Houseplants grown by Marsh are sold alongside the books. The shop hosts regular author signings, book launches and children's reading groups, and takes part in the town's annual book festival held each October. Dial Lane Books is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 3pm, and takes particular pride in ordering titles for customers that larger chains do not stock.