It is a destination for book-lovers which has become something of an international sensation, and not just among the well-read.
Scotland’s only ‘Airbnb bookshop’ turns ten this year, with nearly 450 guests having turned up at its doors to turn a page and enjoy the chance to take time out of their lives.
Situated in Wigtown – Scotland's book town – The Open Book offers its guests the experience of running their own bookshop, ably supported by a group of volunteers.
And since opening in 2014 its appeal has grown that there is now a two-year waiting list for tenants ready to take time out of their day jobs and become booksellers for a while.
The brainchild of author and filmmaker Jessica Fox - an American who fell in love with Wigtown and settled there – the Open Book was established to raise the profile of Scotland’s National Book Town and bring in additional funds for Wigtown Festival Company (WFC) and the town’s annual book festival.
Initially, it only covered its own costs but now raises £10,000 annually for the cause. This has allowed all kinds of initiatives such as one where the shop taken over by primary school children for a week.
Ms Fox said: “I came up with the idea of Open Book because of my own adventure – which saw me come to Scotland's National Book Town to stay in a bookshop. I thought others would enjoy the chance to do that too.
“It is a success because of Wigtown, the volunteers who make the guests so welcome, Rosemary and David Bythell, the owners of the building, who believed in my idea to begin with and the Wigtown Book Festival who have allowed it to thrive.”
As public sector support dwindles, and with harsh blows like this year’s loss of Baillie Gifford sponsorship, WFC has to work ever-harder to raise funds for the festival, its outreach and educational work and to pay staff.
The challenge is even greater as Galloway is one of the poorest areas of rural Scotland and the Book Town and festival initiatives were developed as a means of social and economic regeneration.
READ MORE:
- Alan Cumming heads literary talent at Wigtown Book Festival
- Wigtown Book Festival to end Baillie Gifford partnership
- www.wigtownbookfestival.com
A map on the wall shows where Open Book guests have come from, with some coming from as far afield as Hawaii and Beijing.
Many have come to Wigtown to celebrate a special birthday or other big occasion, including a marriage proposal.
The latest guests, Tracy and Richard Vine, from Chelmsford first learned about The Open Book from a TV programme and loved it so much that this is their third visit.
Tracy, who was voted British Photographer of the Year, said: “We loved the idea of it – the chance to have a holiday running your own bookshop was quite unique. And there’s no strings attached, no real responsibilities, you can enjoy the time however you like.”
Richard, an IT consultant, said: “We enjoyed it so much we wanted to come back – it’s the community that makes it so special, we’ve made good friends here and just love it.”
Locals drop in, as well as customers, people find they have common interests.
When one set of visitors turned out to be keen on traditional music they were soon joined by local fiddlers, guitar and banjo players for an impromptu music-making session.
Joyce Cochrane, of the nearby Old Bank Bookshop, meets and greets guests, shows them round the town and then offers to put their pictures up on a local Facebook group.
She said: “The Open Book has been a way of opening our doors to the world and because of that the world has been coming to Wigtown, and they love it.
“I’ll normally put a little notice up on Facebook, with a bit about the new guests, and just say ‘Wigtown weave your magic’, and it does.”
This year’s Wigtown Book Festival has more than 250 events and takes place from 27 September to 6 October.
Adrian Turpin, WFC Artistic Director, added: “The Open Book has been hugely important to the profile of Scotland’s National Book Town.
“Its story has gone round the world. But it’s also been vital in bringing new energy and new ideas through the dozens of brilliant booksellers who come through its doors.”
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