CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has paid a visit to Crediton bookshop The Bookery.

Community-owned since 2013, it now has nearly 500 individual shareholders following a recent community share offer.

People bought shares amounting to more than £21,000, and match-funding of £10,000 from Co-operatives UK brought the total raised £31,000.

The Bookery will use the cash to strengthen the business and develop its community outreach.

Mr Stride, who is also the Shadow Chancellor, heard about its outreach programmes such as its “Afternoon Authors” events taking place on various weekday afternoons, and its “Soup and Stories” initiative, in which volunteers read short stories, passages from a book or poetry, and free soup and hot drinks are provided in partnership with the Turning Tides Project.

“It was great to visit The Bookery to learn more about the fantastic work they do to support the community, as well as some of the challenges they face as a local business,” Mr Stride said.

“Small businesses like The Bookery are the backbone of local communities – they drive economic growth and fuel local job markets.

“It is vitally important that we continue to support them in whatever way we can.”

The Bookery General Manager Dominic Myers added: “The Bookery sincerely appreciates the wonderful support that our community continues to provide, that enables us to grow our outreach programmes and contribute to sustaining a vibrant High Street.”

The Bookery is currently looking for volunteers to join its retail team. Duties include helping with book displays and restocking shelves, offering advice to customers and helping serve at the till.

If you are interested, email Volunteer Coordinator Kate Tucker at [email protected].

You can find out more about the bookshop and sign up to its newsletter by visiting: thebookery.org.uk.