One of my favourite shops in Southport is Broadhurst’s Book Shop in Market Street, and it is the oldest bookshop in the North West of England. The building was erected in 1875, and consists of 4 floors of new and secondhand books. The ground floor consists of new books, and in the winter it has a blazing coal fire, making it so warm and welcoming, also where you pay, and get your purchase wrapped in brown paper and string. On the first floor are children’s books, and also 8 secondhand book rooms, and 2 large Rare Book Rooms, further up. The shop was founded by Charles Kenyon Broadhurst in 1920 after he returned from the First World War. He borrowed the money from his Mother-in-Law to start the business, and later became the President of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association. Mr. Broadhurst ran the shop until his death in 1987, he was a lovely Gentleman, and I bought my first local history book by Rev. Bulpit off him in the early 1960s, which I still have. Laurence Hardman bought the business, as he had been working there since 1969, and still successfully runs it today. We are very lucky to have such a great Establishment in our lovely Town. Have a great Bank Holiday everyone xxx

Lots of more pictures and great discussion at southportnews group