Our Co-Op Story

October Books started in 1977 as a radical volunteer-run bookshop in Southampton. With a backdrop of unease within the UK's system of governance, there was a growing marginalisation of minority groups alongside the gay liberation movement and the feminist movement. A volunteer team ran the organisation from premises in Bevois Valley in Southampton, Hampshire. The area of the city was also home to a number of other co-operative and community businesses, a health food shop: the Flying teapot café, as well as many others. It was a buzzing alternative community in our city.

After four years of operation as a voluntary organisation, the team found the time and resources to collate and prepare the paperwork needed to register as a neighbourhood co-operative. On 14th April 1981 Phillip Collins, Lionel Paris, Jill Radford, Ian Lamming, Veronica Love, Martin Lynch and Annabel Hodgson had signed the paperwork and October Books was registered as a Co-operative Society.

Between 1981 and 2003, October Books faced challenges and changes, including opening a short-lived second shop and developing ties with the university, which boosted income. As alternative shops on Onslow Road closed and the area declined as a shopping destination, the collective decided to relocate to Portswood High Street in 2003. The move required balancing the shop’s radical ethos with broader appeal by diversifying stock to include fair-trade and eco-friendly products. Numerous workers and volunteers contributed to shaping the shop’s story during this period.

October Books had made it to 2016, but not without facing financial struggles. With expenses exceeding income despite introducing new product lines, the shop relied on community support to navigate cash flow crises. The premises were in poor condition, requiring repairs and upgrades, and cluttered with 40 years of accumulated items.

In late 2017 the old Natwest bank in Portswood came up for sale. The new team had been looking around at alternative rental premises already, as the rent at 243 Portswood Road was due to increase. The team, customers and supporters visited the old bank space and were so excited by the potential for a new community owned space that was not beholden financially to a distant and uncaring landlord. Surveys were done, votes were counted, The Society of St James came on board and the October Books campaign to Buy the Bank was launched.

Over the decades, we have been on a turbulent and beautiful journey. We are proud that our small business is so much more than that. We are a deep-rooted network, with our feet firmly on the ground but our vision high. We are proud to be based on a multi-stakeholder cooperative model, a hub for activism, and a vital part of the community.

In 2018, with overwhelming local support, we raised £330,000 in 6 months to buy and renovate the former bank, creating a vibrant, community-owned space. The move included a viral "Human Chain" event to transport 2,000 books, gaining global media attention. Today, we own our building, support local resilience, and champion co-operative models that put people and community first. This is our story of solidarity, determination, and shared success! How will you play your part? #OctoberBooks #CoopPower