A GROUP of Malvern residents who plan to open their own independent bookshop to replace a much-loved store that is closing down say they have been overwhelmed by the response to their initiative.

Hundreds of people have been in contact with the Malvern Book Co-Operative this week after the Gazette revealed their plans to open a new store in St Ann’s Road.

They want to provide a bookshop to replace Beacon Books, which will be closing its doors next month after 23 years in Worcester Road.

Helen Barker, a member of the seven-strong co-operative, said: “We have had an amazing number of responses. There have been at least 300 and all of them are really favourable, which is very exciting.

“We’re obviously delighted and would like to say a big thank you to the people of Malvern for giving us their backing.”

The next step will be to launch a community share initiative to raise the capital needed to get the venture up-and-running. This is estimated to be a minimum of about £18,000.

“We’ll be looking for people who are interested in the scheme to pledge a small amount of money to help us get started,”

said Mrs Barker.

“The loss of Beacon Books is clearly something that people feel very strongly about and so we want to get started with this as soon as possible so we are able to provide something to fill that gap.”

Among those who have expressed an interest in working with the co-operative are Malvern Storytellers and print and publishing company Aspect Design, based in Newtown Road.

For more information, visit malvernbookcoop.wordpress.com