Bridge StreetBooks

Fi McEwan-Thompson opened Bridge Street Books at the start of June 2026, drawing on a background in English literature and education to build a shop that puts female and local authors on the front tables rather than the back shelves. Sections cover romance, crime, feminism, LGBTQ writing, wellness and sustainability, chosen with an eye to readers who might not find themselves reflected in a standard high-street stock list. A soft launch brought in three local authors for signings, among them crime writer Marrisse Whittaker, and Fi has since talked about running poetry-therapy sessions from the shop. Tea and coffee are served alongside the books, and the bright, open-shelved room on Bridge Street is built for browsing and sitting rather than a quick in-and-out purchase.