End of a chapter as well-loved secondhand bookshop sells up

Secondhand bookshops are getting rarer - there were three when Mr Tatman, who runs the Beverley Old Bookshop with wife Hetty, set out.

Now people often want to buy books for their looks as much as their content. The shabby chic craze has seen them supply old books to decorate tables at a wedding and for a 7ft book tower for Stanley’s restaurant in Hull.

Mr Tatman, who is often to be found restoring a much-loved cookery book or family Bible in the bookshop on Dyer Lane, said: “When I came it was free parking and people had time to browse. There was maybe one charity shop, now there are 20, and they are all selling books.

“The dealers used to come round - now they buy online. People would collect things like Giles annuals.

“Times have changed. Young people don’t value them as much. They come in and say all sorts of nice things as if we were a museum and then walk out without buying anything.”

Mrs Tatman added: “We are finding people buy books for different reasons - because they look good on a shelf. People have a pink room and they want pink books. Of course we have a lot of regulars who collect certain books and genres, but we have noticed over the years people are buying books for their looks rather than their content.”

While the value of old books, beyond rare curios, has plummeted, there’s plenty of demand for bookbinding, and Mr Tatman will continue his business from home.

The sale of the business, plus stock, is expected to go through next month and the Tatmans will continue to sell books through St Crispin’s arcade.

The Georgian building has variously been a pub, a bookies and office. But will it remain a bookshop? Mr Tatman said: “I have my doubts. I can only hope.”