Goldfinch Books

Goldfinch Books opened on Alton's High Street on 1 November 2022, founded by Gary Clark with his wife Jude Sleney and her sister Andrea Sleney after the three completed the Booksellers Association's New Futures programme for prospective independent booksellers. Clark, a self-published author, built the shop around a cafe-bar counter serving wine and craft beer alongside coffee, positioning Goldfinch as somewhere to sit and read, not just buy. A dedicated children's area sits apart from the general stock, and the shop runs an events calendar including live poetry, a live-music night called Bookshelf Sessions, book clubs, a jam night and a gaming club. The owners weave mental health awareness into their programming, alongside author events. The venue is also available to hire for private functions outside trading hours, giving Alton a bookshop that doubles as a social space.