A NEW haven for literature lovers in Malvern drew big crowds as it opened its doors for the first time on Monday.

The seeds for the new Malvern Book Co-operative only came about at the turn of the year when a group of concerned book-lovers got together after hearing that Beacon Books, Great Malvern’s long-serving bookstore, would be closing down after 23 years.

Wanting to keep an independent bookshop in the town centre, they set up the co-operative and rallied support at a series of public meetings.

Just a few months later and having sold about £10,000 of shares to local people, group members opened the door at their newly kitted-out premises in St Ann’s Road. Helen Barker, a member of Malvern Book Co-operative, said: “It went brilliantly.

“We had so many people through the door and the tills were ringing all day.

“We were packed despite the weather. Everybody who came in was saying how pleased they are we’re open.”