CLEVEDON’S first community bookshop will open on December 31 and a new website has been launched to promote the innovative project.

The idea of setting up the store in Copse Road to sell secondhand books, some new books and cards, was launched in September by a community cooperative.

After 14 years in Copse Road, the original bookshop was facing closure before a group of people from the Clevedon Society of Friends and Transition Clevedon got together to save it.

As a result, the Clevedon Community Bookshop Co-operative (CCBC) was launched, with people given the chance to buy shares in it.

So far, more than 150 people have bought a total of 3,500 shares at �1 each, making them members with the chance to vote on how the shop is run.

A further �10,000 in loans and grants is also in place to help pay for renovations and to help the project through the first year of trading.

Work is nearly complete on refurbishing the existing shop as well as a neighbouring unit, ready for 10,000 books to be placed on the shelves.

CCBC secretary Angela Everitt said: “We think it is important for the character of small, independent shops to be preserved and, with membership priced from just �10, we are trying to attract a large number of investors.”

With the aim of creating a sustainable social enterprise, any money generated will be used to cover costs as well as to put on author readings, new book launches, poetry sessions and other workshops.

Now, a dedicated website has been launched to raise the profile of the scheme and to let people know how they can join. This can be found at www.clevedoncommunitybookshop.coop

The Clevedon Community Bookshop will open its doors to the public at noon on December 31.

Meanwhile, members have a table at The Royal Oak in Copse Road from 5-7pm on Wednesdays and noon to 1pm on Sundays where more information can be found about the scheme.