Typewronger Books to open new Bruntsfield location as customers label Leith Walk move 'a huge loss'
The popular bookshop will be moving from its home on Haddington Place to Bruntsfield this summer
Customers have branded the relocation of independent Edinburgh bookshop Typewronger Books from Leith Walk a "huge loss" after it announced a move to new premises in Bruntsfield.
The beloved shop, which started life in a TARDIS-style phone box in 2017, has revealed on social media that it will be closing its basement shop on Haddington Place ahead of a move to a new location in Bruntsfield.
The move is expected to take place this July.
Typewronger posted: “WE'RE MOVING SHOP! That's right gang, the time has come for Typewronger to emerge, blinking, into the daylight - and as some of you might have noticed we've just signed a lease on our first full premises!
“Come July we'll be moving in to number 22 Bruntsfield Place - a luxuriously appointed property featuring MASSIVE WINDOWS and high ceilings. So fancy.
“Stay tuned for more developments, and please bear with us - moving home can be rather stressful and time-consuming.
It added: “We'd have loved to stay on Haddington Place, but we couldn't find anywhere suitable, and we hope you'll follow us across the Meadows and come hang out at the new place soon!”
The news that the bookshop was moving to a new location was welcomed by loyal customers, but some called the closure of the Haddington Place shop a “huge loss“ for the Leith community.
One fan said: “Will be a shame to not have youse in your cozy wee spot on Leith Walk but super excited for you getting an amazing new space!”
Another added: “Will miss going into the wonderful little shop when visiting Edinburgh, but this is so exciting! Can’t wait to see what you do with the space and its impact on the community.”
Typewronger hit the headlines in April after controversy was sparked online over a recruitment advert posted for unpaid help.
The non-for-profit community interest company had issued a call for volunteers to assist staff in the shop and provide cover for breaks in return for a 25 per cent discount on books, a free tote bag and access to proofs and advance copies of new releases.
The advert received backlash from critics on social media but Typewronger defended the role, previously telling the Evening News that they had offered the role to help people break into the bookselling industry, that the store could operate fully without volunteers and that staff were “saddened” by the reaction to the advert.